The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has conferred the IAAF bronze label status on the Okpekpe 10km Road Race held annually in Edo State, Nigeria.
The IAAF commended the organisers in a certification letter for staging a hitch free tournament in the last two years and urged them to adhere to the rules and regulations guiding the new status.
The IAAF letter stated: “We have reviewed your application for an IAAF Road Race Label. We are pleased to inform you that your race has been awarded a Bronze Label for 2015.
“We remind you that all requirements included in the Road Race Label Regulations must be met in order to be considered for an IAAF Label the following year.”
The maiden edition of the [link id=”587″ tax=”post_tag” text=”Okpekpe International Road Race”], won by Kenyan Moses Masai in a time of 29:39, was organised by the Edo State government under the leadership of Comrade Adams Oshiomole in 2013.
Ethiopian Ayalew Wuday won the second edition of the road race, clocking 32:41, in 2014.
Since inception more than 200 top athletes across the globe have taken part in the race, with many dignitaries running alongside Governor Oshiomole in the 10km race.
The third edition of the Okpekpe 10km Road Race will take place on Saturday May 2, 2015 at 8.00am.
Meet The Authors
Mr Eludini is a Nigerian-based journalist and news researcher with a passion for athletics and football. Tunde is a staff reporter for Premium Times newspaper, and also a regular contributor to AthleticsAfrica.