Obudu ready to host the world.
"
The dates for the 2010 Edition of the Obudu Mountain Race have been confirmed. ,
The race which will comprise the 6th edition of the individual race and the 2nd edition of the African Nations Mountain Running Championship will hold on Saturday, November 27th 2010 at the prestigious Obudu Mountain Resort. The race this year will witness the addition of the women's version of the African Nation's Mountain Running Championship, that is the first edition of the Championships. ,
A total of 207 athletes have therefore been confirmed for this year's event, out of which 131 are Nigerians, and 76 are foreign, comprising of Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, Colombia, Austria, Israel, Egypt, and Cameroun.
Six (6) African countries will be fielding teams for the African Championship and these will include Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Cameroun and Egypt. " "Registration for the race closed in October and the Local Organizing Committee, headed by Sir William Archibong, has worked tirelessly to screen the over 2.000 entries to a manageable number.
The key entries for this year include the defending Champion and course record holder, Habtamu Fikadu Awash of Ethiopia, the Women's defending Champion and record holder Mamitu Daska, her compatriot Mesellech Melkamu Hileyesus and 2008 Champion, and Andrea Mayr of Austria (three times World Champion: 2006, 2008 and this year 2010).
Acclaimed as the highest paying Mountain Race in the world, with Star prize of $50.000,00, the race has witnessed tremendous growth and improvement since its inception six years ago, culminating in the addition of an African Nations Mountain Running Championship. , The first edition of the Championship which held last year saw the Ethiopian team clinching the 1st position, followed by Uganda National team and Nigeria National team in 3rd position. The 5th edition of the individual race (Men) was won by Ethiopian Habtamu Fikadu Awash in a record time of 42:03 minutes, while the women's version was won by Mamitu Daska beating her compatriots Mestawet Tufa and Meselech Melkamu Hileyesus to 2nd and 3rd respectively.
The Obudu Mountain Race, individual race/African Nations Championship covers a distance of 11 kilometres up hill, to an altitude of 1,575 metres above sea level, taking you to one of the finest tourist destinations in the world, the Obudu Mountain Resort, in the Cross River State. ,
The Governor of Cross River State, Liyel Imoke, is one of most important supporter of this event and his presence (with his wife, Mrs. Obioma Liyel Imoke) to the race is always very important like signal of his attention to this kind of sport.
WMRA President, Bruno Gozzelino, will attend to the competition this year for the second time (also last year he was present) and he thanked LOC, Nigeria Athletic Federation, Confederation Africaine d'Athletisme, Cross River State and all the sponsor for the organization of the event and for all the participation to the African Championships.
The race which will comprise the 6th edition of the individual race and the 2nd edition of the African Nations Mountain Running Championship will hold on Saturday, November 27th 2010 at the prestigious Obudu Mountain Resort. The race this year will witness the addition of the women's version of the African Nation's Mountain Running Championship, that is the first edition of the Championships. ,
A total of 207 athletes have therefore been confirmed for this year's event, out of which 131 are Nigerians, and 76 are foreign, comprising of Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, Colombia, Austria, Israel, Egypt, and Cameroun.
Six (6) African countries will be fielding teams for the African Championship and these will include Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Cameroun and Egypt. " "Registration for the race closed in October and the Local Organizing Committee, headed by Sir William Archibong, has worked tirelessly to screen the over 2.000 entries to a manageable number.
The key entries for this year include the defending Champion and course record holder, Habtamu Fikadu Awash of Ethiopia, the Women's defending Champion and record holder Mamitu Daska, her compatriot Mesellech Melkamu Hileyesus and 2008 Champion, and Andrea Mayr of Austria (three times World Champion: 2006, 2008 and this year 2010).
Acclaimed as the highest paying Mountain Race in the world, with Star prize of $50.000,00, the race has witnessed tremendous growth and improvement since its inception six years ago, culminating in the addition of an African Nations Mountain Running Championship. , The first edition of the Championship which held last year saw the Ethiopian team clinching the 1st position, followed by Uganda National team and Nigeria National team in 3rd position. The 5th edition of the individual race (Men) was won by Ethiopian Habtamu Fikadu Awash in a record time of 42:03 minutes, while the women's version was won by Mamitu Daska beating her compatriots Mestawet Tufa and Meselech Melk
The Obudu Mountain Race, individual race/African Nations Championship covers a distance of 11 kilometres up hill, to an altitude of 1,575 metres above sea level, taking you to one of the finest tourist destinations in the world, the Obudu Mountain Resort, in the Cross River State. ,
The Governor of Cross River State, Liyel Imoke, is one of most important supporter of this event and his presence (with his wife, Mrs. Obioma Liyel Imoke) to the race is always very important like signal of his attention to this kind of sport.
WMRA President, Bruno Gozzelino, will attend to the competition this year for the second time (also last year he was present) and he thanked LOC, Nigeria Athletic Federation, Confederation Africaine d'Athletisme, Cross River State and all the sponsor for the organization of the event and for all the participation to the African Championships.
By Patrick Ugbe
Photos by LOC:
- Prize ceremony,
- Governor Liyel Imoke