Athletes from Plateau State dominated the sixth edition of the Governor Douye Diri Marathon, as James Gang and Lydia Akusho emerged overall winners in the men’s and women’s categories of the race, on Saturday in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
Gang won the men’s race in a time of 30:58 seconds, finishing ahead of 206 other participants out of 503 registered athletes.
Another Plateau athlete, Francis James, finished second with a time of 32:05.87 seconds, while Ismael Sadjo of Cross River State took third place in 32:14.31 seconds.
In the women’s category, Plateau continued its dominance as Akusho clocked 38:30.37 seconds to claim the title and the ₦1 million star prize.
Vivian Obadiah, also from Plateau State, placed second in 38:52.78 seconds to earn ₦500,000, while Tanko Iyanj, another Plateau athlete, finished third in 38:54.84 seconds and received ₦300,000.
The marathon, tagged the “SDD Marathon,” further saw Plateau athletes sweep the podium positions in both elite categories.
In the teen male category, Andrew Richard of Bishop Dimeari Grammar School (BDGS) emerged winner, while Okenema Samuel of Community Secondary School, Okutukutu, and Chinedu Deindein of BDGS finished second and third respectively.
In the teen female category, Igbeita Innocent of Divine International School emerged winner, with Alex Sunshine and Yebiboh Favour finishing second and third respectively.
Speaking at the event, Bayelsa Governor, Sen. Douye Diri, commended the convener of the marathon, Igbeita Odonkumo, for sustaining the initiative. Diri said his administration remained committed to using sports as a tool for youth engagement and development in the state.
He urged the chairmen of the eight local government areas in the state to organise grassroots marathons that would align with the annual SDD Marathon, aimed at discovering talents from rural communities.
According to him, the local government marathons are expected to commence in 2027, with outstanding athletes forwarded to the Ministry of Sports Development ahead of subsequent editions of the SDD Marathon.
The governor also announced that Bayelsa would host an international marathon in April, describing the state as a multi-sports destination.
He further disclosed that the prize money for winners would be increased from ₦1 million to ₦2 million from the next edition, noting that sports had evolved into a viable economic venture.