Nigeria’s Elite Distance Runners Set To Compete In Historic Olojo 5km Race

The past metropolis of Ile Ife, celebrated arsenic the cradle of civilisation, is poised to big the inaugural Olojo Festival 5km Road Race this Thursday, showcasing Nigeria’s apical region moving talent. The contention forms portion of the iconic Olojo Festival, a important solemnisation of creation, renewal, and the spiritual value of Ile Ife wrong Yoruba cosmology.

Leading the battalion is Nyango Gyang Boyi, who has been hailed arsenic Nigeria’s standout region runner of the year. Boyi made headlines successful February by finishing eighth wide successful the World Athletics Gold Label Lagos Marathon, completing the people successful 2:25:41—marking 1 of the fastest marathon times by a Nigerian successful implicit a decade. His awesome show secured him a $4,000 prize, on with an further ₦2 cardinal arsenic the archetypal Nigerian to transverse the decorativeness line.

Another contender to ticker is Raymond Iliya Gyang, who boasts a idiosyncratic champion of 14:47.26 successful the 5000m.

On the women’s side, Blessing Shambor Solomon, the victor of Nigeria’s first-ever cross-country contention successful 2023, is acceptable to vie for the Olojo 5km crown. Solomon has a 5000m idiosyncratic champion of 17:16.35 and clocked 2:55:10 successful the marathon astatine this year’s Lagos Marathon. She volition look pugnacious contention from Charity Agofure, who has breached the 18-minute obstruction successful the 5000m, and David Abiye Joy, a aggregate champion of 10km roadworthy races, including the Lagos Women’s Run.

Taiwo Aladefa, a erstwhile African Games champion and renowned Nigerian hurdler, emphasised the broader intent of the race: “We purpose to unearth endowment that tin beryllium nurtured into stardom, conscionable arsenic we were erstwhile scouted and developed into African champions and Olympians. We judge this inaugural indispensable commencement somewhere.” Aladefa besides mentioned that organisers are committed to not lone conducting the contention but besides nurturing discovered talents for aboriginal success.

She highlighted Iba Town, a historical Yoruba assemblage successful Ifelodun Local Government Area, arsenic a imaginable grooming hub, noting its altitude of astir 394 meters (1,293 feet) supra oversea level, which offers perfect conditions for endurance training.

Race manager Chief Tony Osheku believes the information of elite Nigerian athletes astatine the Olojo 5km roadworthy contention volition animate section athletes successful and astir Ile Ife.