Gwom James Giang, a 17-year-old runner from Plateau State won the maiden Calabar Marathon in the male category. The race covered a distance of 15 kilometers, and Gyang completed it in 39.8 minutes to cling the N500,000 star prize. In the women’s category, Agofore Charity from Delta State, secured victory, completing the race in 44.38 minutes and claiming the first prize of N500,000. Elizabeth Nuhu and 12-year-old Godsmind Eteng emerged as the first and second runners-up, earning N300,000 and N200,000 respectively.
Over 500 athletic enthusiasts from all over Nigeria participated at the maiden edition “Calabar Marathon for Sweet Prince” with the theme “Abstinence from Drugs”.
Speaking shortly after the flagging off the race which started at the Eleven Eleven Roundabout, through the Carnival Calabar Route and terminated at the Marina Resort, the Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, said the initiative was a deliberate efforts to take the youths away from drugs at the same time create a platform for sports enthusiasts to harness their God’s given potential and be useful to themselves and the society.
The governor, who was represented by his Special Advisor on General Duties, Barr. Ekpenyong Akiba, raised the hope that the race will at the end, produce world athletes, who will represent the state and Nigeria at the local and global arenas.
“Don’t forget that Calabar is the cradle of modern civilization and that football started here. What we are doing today is to reenact our first position that was recorded in several events to regain our pride of place.
“As you are aware. If the youths are not gainfully engaged, they will channel those energies to drugs and other vices inimical to their growth. And over the years, there has been serious hike in drug reflected crimes amongst the youths and we find this marathon as the best channel to carry out this sensitization campaign against drugs and other vices.
“Don’t forget it’s our first edition and we are already receiving huge support from several stakeholders in both sports and hospitality industries and are confident that the next year’s event will witnessed humongous participation and supports.
On his part, the Managing Director, Cross River State Tourism Bureau, Prince Ekpenyong Ojoi, who described the event as a good tourism offering to the state, said: “We are here to remind the world that sports started in Calabar and we are ready to train world sports lovers all over the world.
“Youths all over the world are looking for opportunities to expel those energies in them and we are putting this together to trap those energies that are often channeled on drugs to a more useful and gainful venture that will be beneficial to them and the society.
On the security of athletes and other other tourists to the state, the Commissioner of Police Cross River State Command, Mr. Gyogon Augustine Grimah, assured all visitors for fun and business, that the state remains a safe place as his men are always on alert to arrest the slightest breach of peace.
The CP advised the youths in the state to get actively involved in the various development initiatives put in place by the state government in ensuring that no useful hands and minds are made idle and to nib all forms of crimes in the bud.
