Gang James Boyi has emerged winner of the 3rd edition Calabar Marathon. The 17-year-old runner from Plateau State ran the 24-kilometre race in 1:04:23.2 sec to win the one million naira star prize for his effort.

Another Plateau State runner, Francis James Musa 18, who clocked 1: 04: 51:8 seconds while Aliya Raymondalso who returned in 1:06:59.1, won the second and third prizes of N500,000 and N300,000 each.

In the women’s category, Delta State’s Agofore Charity, who won the star prize of N500,000 in the 2024 edition, repeated the feat by returning in 1:19:17.8 sec to win the first prize of one million naira, while Elizabeth Nuhu and Cross River-born Godsmind Eteng, 12, who emerged first and second runners up, bagged N500,000 and N300,000 respectively. Eight others who emerged in 4th – 7th position in both male and female categories carted home N100,000 each for their effo

Over 500 professional and fun runners nationwide participated in the 15km Calabar Marathon.

Speaking shortly after the flag off of the race, Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, represented by Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Elvert Ayambem said the race aligns with his policy of putting people first.

“The Calabar Marathon resonates with my policy of putting the people first.

He said the initiative was a deliberate effort to take the youths away from social vices and at the same time create a platform for sports enthusiasts to harness their God-given potential and be useful to themselves and the society.

The Managing Director of the state Tourism Bureau and organiser of the event, Prince Ekpenyong Ojoi, said it is a way of marketing the state’s tourism potential and expressed his commitment to growing the event in the coming years.

He said the race was organised to unearth hidden talents in the state and its environs, adding that given some time the programme would produce world beaters, who would represent the state and Nigeria at local and global competitions.

Speaking shortly after the event, both male and female winners attributed their victories to consistent training and hard work. They

also appreciated the opportunity provided by the Cross River State government to compete in the marathon (The Guardian)