Kefas Williams and Blessing Shambor Solomon, have emerged as the winners of the Jos Cross Country race in Plateau state.
The Plateau state runner Williams finished in 31 minutes 38:30s to break the Nigerian record set by Timmon Gumel at the National Stadium, Lagos.
Williams won the very competitive men’s race that had the likes of favourites Paul James Pam (32:39:08), Solomon Nyango (33:19:69), James Gyang Gwon (33:25:93), Simon Markus (33:26:10), Nyango Gyang (33:31:49) and Iliya Pam 33:39:69 all ran 33 minutes.
In second place was Stephen Joshua, who crossed the line at 31minutes 51:69s and got N200,000 for efforts.
While in third place was Emmanuel Gyang who finished at 32minutes 01:27seconds. He got N100,000.
Iliya, earlier rated to win the championship said he was hindered by an injury he sustained at the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon.
Meanwhile, in the women’s category, a shocking result was recorded as highly rated Debora Pam, was beaten to second place by Solomon.
Pam, led the field for four lapses out of five, only to be overtaken by Solomon in the fifth lap. The Plateau state athlete didn’t look back to cross the finish line at 38 minutes 36:12 seconds. She got N300,000.
Finishing in 38minutes 47:37s Pam, who also took part in the Lagos Marathon blamed fatigue from road travel from Lagos as a hindrance got N200,000.
In third place was Grace Dalum, who finished at 39 minutes 10:91 seconds, got cash prize of N100,000.
Winners from the 4th place to 10th positions all got cash prizes from the organizers, Nilayo Sports Management Limited.
A total N2 million cash prizes were shared among the winners.
Nigeria’s minister of Youths and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, was represented by the ministry’s North Central Zonal Coordinator, Mrs. Deborah Pitman at the event.
