The 5th edition of the annual 10 Kilometre Owan Marathon held on Saturday with athletes from Ghana stealing the show.

The race held in Sabongida-Ora, Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State, saw the Ghanaian athletes presenting a dominance force in the male and female category of the event.

However, 26-year-old Michael Adetiba from Kwara State, who won the 2025 21 kilometre Abuja marathon race in September came first in a record time of 50:13.

Freepong Kwabena from Ghana came second in a record time of 50:37, while Yusuf Baaije from Plateau State came third in a record time of 51:46.

Similarly, the Ghanaians dominated the female category with their athetles, Joyce Ayaaba, 25, and Christiana Mumuni, coming first and third in a record time of 57:44 and 58:54, respectively, while Charity Agofure, from Delta State, came the second.

The male winner, Adetiba, described his feat as God’s aspiration and hoped to better his timing next time.

On her part, Joyce Ayaaba, said she only hoped for the best when her coach who prepared her for the race told her about the event.

Meanwhile, Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, while commending the organisers for placing the Owan nation on the map of the world, pledged support for the annual event.

He said, “It is very commendable and a welcome initiative, because right now, our community is being shown to the world. I think those of us who are in the political sector want to also collaborate with him to support him because nobody wouldn’t want his community or locality to be in the global space. I commend him and assure him that by next year, we will do more.”

Similarly, Chairman of the state Sports Commission, Desmond Enabulele, said sports remain the fastest vehicle to empower youths.

Represented by Frank Ilaboya, expressed appreciation that the Owan Marathon race was expanding by the year.

He pledged continued support of the state government to the annual event.

In his speech, organiser of the Owan Marathon race, Chris Ojo, promised to set up a marathan clinic where future marathoners would be trained.

Calling for collaboration with well-meaning sons and daughters from the state towards the race, Mr Ojo said the organisation of the race would be fully handed over to professionals to organise from the next edition.

“The Olympics is just a little more than two years away, and who says we can’t groom athletes that will represent Nigeria if we remain committed towards this cause,” he stated.

(NAN)