The 2023 Warri Effurun Peace Marathon came to a fitting conclusion Saturday morning with Ishmael Sadjo and Patience Dalyop emerging champions in the men and women categories to cart away the N1m top prize.
The 10km race which also featured schools in the Warri environs participating for the first time live up the expectations of the athletes and organisers as the event went on smoothly after it was flagged off by Chief Alaowei Broderick Bozimo a former Nigerian minister of police affairs.
Sadjo who had come to Warri with aim of redeeming himself from his shock loss last year, quickly dominated proceedings, coupled with the absence of his main rival Emmanuel Gyan who was forced out by injury, Sadjo maintained his course to finish at 30.12 secs, Francis James was second with 30.41 seconds, while Stephen Joshua Daylop was third with 30.42secs.
“I was really prepared for the race and I enjoyed dominating it and watching the other guys struggling to catch up.
“It was a good outing for everyone and hopefully we’ll be back here next year,” said Sadjo.
Daylop, making her debut in the race, was also yards ahead of the women. She clocked 35.05, beating favourate Joy Abiye David who came second with 35.47sec and Deborah Pam finished third clocking 36.19 seconds.
“I’m not surprised Patience won the race, she is a young athlete coming up and she has speed, we have seen what she does in training and it was good for her,” said Pam.
On her part Abiye admitted that she was outpaced, she blamed fatigue for her low performance.
For the schools 5km category Moses Gift with 17.44.04 clinched the top spot, Obakanuhre Oghenefega was second with 18.19.28 seconds with Taofeek Jubril placing third with 18.59.37. In the girls race Dimah Anointed dominated with 22.00.81, Jenifer Odiri was second with 22.24.90seconds, while Hope Oboseke raced 22.36.11 secs.
“It was a pleasure having the schools participating for the first time,” said Mrs Joyce Bozimo, chief organizer of the Warri Effurun Peace Marathon.
“Based on what we have seen, we want more schools to be present next year, because there are so many talented athletes just waiting to be discovered and we call on their coaches to double their efforts, because we are looking at our future champions.”
