Gyang James and Lydia Akusho both of Plateau State have emerged winners of the men and women’s elite races in the 6th edition of the Senator Douye Diri Bayelsa Marathon, carting home the star prize of a million Naira each.
17 year old Gyang who clocked 30 minutes, 58 point seven-five seconds to beat other contenders in the men’s category to breast the ribbon was thrilled to win the 10 kilometer race which began from the Etegwe Roundabout along the Yenagoa-Mbiama Road to the Peace Park, near Government House in Yenagoa.
Nursing Mother, Lydia who is of the Federal Fire Service says she targets to win more marathon races after finishing as the first woman in 38 Minutes, 30 points three-seven second.
Organiser of the Marathon, Igbeta Odonkumo said the SDD Bayelsa Marathon aims to popularize long distance races in the State.
Governor Douye Diri who stated that Marathon just as other sport were forms of empowerment, directed that the prize money for winners be increased to two million Naira each from next edition, charging Council Chairmen in the State to organize Marathon races in their Local Government Areas.
Governor Diri said he had approved an International Marathon to hold in Bayelsa for the first time in April this year.
There was also a 5 Kilometer teen category with Victory Igbete of Divine International School taking the top prize of N200, 000 in the Girls Category in 24 Minutes, 12 point one-nine seconds while Andrew Richard of Bishop Dimeari Grammar School won the boy’s event in 20 minutes, 16 point seven-five seconds.
207 participants out of 503 registered athletes took part in this year’s edition of the SDD Bayelsa Marathon with the first 50 in the teen’s category taking home school bags provided by the Gloria Diri Foundation.
