By ADEDEJI EGBEBI

A 19-year old Raymond Gyang, from Plateau, Nigeria, on Saturday emerged winner of the sum of N2 million after finishing first at the Ikogosi Marathon race.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that no fewer than 5,000 athletes across seven countries including Nigeria, Kenya and China among others converged in Ekiti to participate in the 17.5km Marathon race.

The participants commenced the race at 8:02a.m at Ilawe-Ekiti Roundabout in front of the Alawe?s Palace and ended at Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort.

The winner of the race, Gyang, finished first in the race at 8:55am.

The marathon was hosted by the Ekiti State Government in collaboration with the Ikogosi Marathon Initiative.

The objective was to promote fitness, attracting investments, boost tourism and economic development, and showcasing the state?s natural endowment.

Speaking with journalists, the winner of the race, Gyang, appreciated the Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Biodun Oyebanji for creating an enabling environment for youths to thrive in sports.

He said he was delighted to have won the prestigious prize for the marathon.

Gyang, who is a multiple champion at different marathon races, said his dream was to represent Nigeria at the international level and win gold for the country.

The second position holder, James Francis, 19-year-old from Plateau, commended his coach for the encouragement.

He appealed to the Federal Government to provide adequate facilities and equipment for athletes to compete with their contemporaries from other countries.

Also, the third position winner, Sadjo Ismael, 28 years, from Cross Rivers, Nigeria, expressed his delight for winning the third spot despite being a short-time runner.

NAN reports that the venue of the event in Ikogosi-Ekiti had policemen and other security personnel stationed at closed range from the starting point to the finishing line in order to ensure maximum safety of the athletes.

The highlights of the event was the presentation of cash prize of N2 million to first position, N1.5 million to second place and NI million to third place.

Another event was the cash prize to indigenous winners which included: N1.5 million (1st), N1 million (2nd), N500,000 (3rd), N250,000 (4th), N100,000 (5th) and N50,000 each to 6th-10th positions.

Reacting, a Consultant to the Ikogosi Marathon Initiative, Femi Abegunde, expressed delight at the large turnout of participants compared to previous year.

Abegunde noted the purpose of the competition is to encourage youths and participants, boost the economy of the state,

?The first thing we are doing with this initiative is to empower the local people in terms of commerce and to empower the young athletes.

?We are very proud as organisers and I am sure that the state government which has given us support, are extremely very proud of what this has become.

?So for us as organisers, we understand that this is beyond just sports.

?It is a lot of social enterprise, like I said, there is a lot of huge community spirits and that explains why a lot of people came out to see runners who can participate,? he said. (NAN)

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