May 28, (THEWILL) – Kenya’s Daniel Ebenyo made history on Saturday, at the 2023 Okpekpe International 10km Road Race, shattering the previous course record set in 2014 by Ethiopia’s Teshome Mekonen.
Ebenyo blazed through the challenging course in an impressive time of 28.28 seconds, erasing Mekonen’s record of 28.35 seconds. Ebenyo’s remarkable achievement earned him not only the title but also a substantial prize money increase. Instead of the $13,000 originally designated for the winner, Ebenyo received a grand prize of $20,000 for his record-breaking performance.
The excitement continued at the Okpekpe race, as Kenyan Caroline Chepkoech Kipkirui also left her mark in the women’s category. Kipkirui delivered an exceptional performance, clocking in at 32.28 seconds, surpassing the previous record of 32.41 seconds set by Ethiopia’s Wude Ayalew in 2014. Similar to Ebenyo, Kipkirui was rewarded for her extraordinary feat with an augmented first-place prize of $20,000.
In the fiercely competitive men’s elite category, Brian Kwemoi from Kenya secured the second position, while defending champion Yasin Hagi of Ethiopia finished in third place. On the other hand, Ismel Sadjo, representing Cross River State, emerged triumphant in the Nigerian elite class with an impressive time of 31.53 seconds. Stephen Joshua Dalyop from Plateau State closely followed, taking the second spot, while Francis James Musa, also from Plateau State, secured third place.
As for the women’s elite class, Ludwina Chepngetich from Kenya displayed an outstanding performance, clinching the silver medal with a time of 32.58 seconds. Bertuken Welde of Ethiopia rounded out the top three, finishing with a commendable time of 33.03 seconds. Among Nigerian women, Patience Dalyop Mwanvwang was the first to cross the finish line in 36.53 seconds, followed closely by Lydia Thomas Akusho in 36.54 seconds, and Deborah Pam Badung in 37.22 seconds.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
