About 40 elite runners from across the globe are billed to feature at the maiden Ijebu Heritage Half-Marathon, Bukola Olopade, the chief executive of Nilayo Sports Management Limited, organiser of the marathon said on Thursday.

Mr Olopade, a former sports commissioner in Ogun State made the disclosure in Lagos. He said the athletes were selected from the world athletics pool.

“We have selected a strong field of elite runners from the world athletics pool and we are anticipating a very competitive performance during the Ijebu Heritage Half-Marathon.

“Being the first edition of the half-marathon, we expect it to be a memorable one because, as project consultants, Nilayo are bringing all the expertise and excellence we are known for,” Mr Olopade said.

He mentioned that Kenya’s Bernard Sang who came first at the 2020 Istanbul Marathon tops the list. Sang will look to better his Personal Best for Half Marathons which stands at 1 hour 57 seconds.

“Kenya’s Hosea Chirchir Kiplimo, Rhonzas Lokitam Kilimo, Eliud Mewangi, Sammy Nyokaye, John Muriuri Mburi, William Amponsah, Titus Kipruto Kibiego, and Paul Koech are on the men’s list.

“Uganda’s Ezekiel Chepkoromk, with a personal best of 01:01:46, and Azerbaijan’s Desta Fitsun Weldu are also listed,” the Nilayo supremo added.

For the women’s race, Mr Olopade said Shila Jepkosgei who is a World Athletics gold-label runner with a Personal Best of 01:10:58 will lead others like “Ghana’s Juliana Lariba Sakat, Kenya’s Gladys Jepkemoi Chemweno, Caern Jebet Maiyo, Ruth Karanja, Susy Chebet Chemaimak, Hannah Wanjiru Gatheru” to the competition.

“Uganda’s Racheal Zena Chebet with a Personal Best of 01:10:13 and Bahrain’s Damaris Muthee Mutua with a personal best of 01:10:13 will also be running in Ijebu,” he added.

The Ijebu Heritage Half-Marathon is scheduled for July 17, and will feature a 21 kilometre half-marathon, as well as 10km and 5km races.

The route will start from Tunde Debasco Road, to move on to Ejirin and end at Otunba Dipo Dina International Stadium.

The half-marathon is organised by the prestigious Heritage Group and is greatly supported by the Ogun Government.

Aron Nigeria Limited and Rite Foods are sponsors of the half-marathon.

(NAN)