Tanzania on Saturday completed a clean sweep in the 42km full marathon of the men’s and women’s categories at the ongoing 2024 Africa Military Games in Abuja.

The race attracted at least 100 athletes from Tanzania, Ethiopia, Uganda, Algeria, Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Libya, South Africa, Senegal and host Nigeria.

The race began in the early hours of Saturday morning from 6:00 a.m. at the City gate and stretched to the airport road before making a U-turn at Aco estate at 17.5km.

It continued for 21.19km before Voice of Nigeria (VON) and Kuchingoro bridge for 30.5km, through Magic Land, Constitution Avenue to the Churchgate traffic light for 37.5km.

It then turned right to Olusegun Obasanjo Way and continued down to the next traffic light by Bolingo Hotel before turning to Kukwaba Road.

The race then stretched all the way down to the National Hospital and then into the main bowl of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium for 42km.

Alphonce Simbu of Tanzania, with a time of 2:17.19, was the men’s winner and was followed by Dedefi Gelato of Ethiopia, with 2:18.31 in a tense finish towards the last 400m.

Laamedi El Hadi of Algeria settled for third position at 2:19.59.

Magdalena Shauri of Tanzania won the women’s race at 2:36.29. Cheptoyek Ruth and Chebet Emily of Uganda finished second and third with respective times of 2:41.07 and 2:44.10.

A total of 20 games are being competed for in the 2nd edition of AMGA 2024. Over 1,625 athletes from 22 African countries are participating in the Games, which opened on Wednesday and is due to end on November 30.

(NAN)