The scenic town of Sabongida-Ora in Edo State witnessed a spectacular display of athletic prowess this past Saturday, as runners from Nigeria and Ghana battled for glory in the fifth edition of the 10km Owan Marathon. The event, held in the Owan West Local Council area, crowned two magnificent champions: Nigeria's own Adetiba Michael and Ghana's rising star, Ayaaba Joyce.
Men's Race: A Nigerian Victory on Home Soil
In a thrilling display of endurance, 26-year-old Adetiba Michael from Kwara State surged to first place in the men's category. Michael, who is no stranger to success having won the 21km Abuja marathon in September 2025, crossed the finish line with an impressive time of 50 minutes and 13 seconds. His victory was hard-fought, with Ghana's Kwabena Freepong close behind in second place, clocking 50:37. Completing the podium was Yusuf Baaije from Plateau State, who secured third place with a time of 51:46 seconds.
Women's Race: Ghanaian Runners Take the Podium
The women's competition turned into a showcase of Ghanaian dominance. Ayaaba Joyce, aged 25, led the charge, claiming the top spot with a time of 57 minutes and 44 seconds. She was followed by Nigeria's Agofure Charity from Delta State, who put up a strong fight to finish second. Another Ghanaian athlete, Mumuni Christiana, rounded out the top three, completing the race in 58:54 seconds.
Post-Race Reactions and Future Vision
An elated Adetiba Michael attributed his success to divine inspiration. "This feat is inspired by God," he stated after the race, adding his determination to "better my timing next time." For the women's champion, Ayaaba Joyce, her victory was the result of faith in her training. She revealed that she "only hoped for the best when her coach was preparing her for the event."
The organizer of the Owan Marathon, Chris Ojo, used the occasion to announce ambitious plans for the future of long-distance running in the region. He promised to establish a marathon clinic dedicated to training future athletes. Ojo also called for collaboration from well-meaning indigenes of Edo State to help grow the competition's profile.
In a significant move, he declared that the management of the event would be handed over to professionals starting from the next edition. Looking ahead to the global stage, Ojo issued a rallying cry: "The next Olympics are just a little more than two years away, and who says we can’t groom athletes that will represent Nigeria if we remain committed towards this cause." This vision positions the Owan Marathon not just as a local race, but as a potential incubator for Nigeria's next generation of Olympic hopefuls.
