The duo of Kefar Williams and Blessing Solomon made history as the first winners of the first National Cross-Country race held at the Rhino Gold Course in Jos on Saturday.
Kefar ran 31:38.30 to win the race ahead of 2022 National 3000m steeplechase champion, Stephen Joshua (31:51.69) and Emmanuel Gwang (32:01.77) who came second and third respectively.
Williams who set a personal and course record believes Nigerian athletes can rival East Africans if given support.
“I believe we can rival the east Africans if we get the same level of attention and support they get here,’ the police sergeant said.
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For the women’s race run separately from the men in accordance with international standards, Solomon, the 2022 National Sports Festival 3000m steeplechase champion ran 38:36.12 to win ahead of 11 time national 5000/1000m champion, Deborah Pam (38:47:37) and Grace Danlami.
Pam, the best Nigerian runner at the Gold label Access Bank Lagos City Marathon early this month was delighted to run her first Cross Country race in Nigeria.
‘I am delighted to be a part of this historic race. I had to leave Lagos last (Friday) night to be able to run today (Saturday) and happy to finish among the first three,’ said the 32-year-old whose husband, Emmanuel Gyang finished third in the men’s race.
For their efforts, the top three finishers in the men and women’s race went home with N300,000; N200,000 and N100,000 respectively. Athletes who finished from fourth to 12th also got paid for their efforts.
