Plateau runners rule Yenagoa as SDD marathon raises the stakes

...Bayelsa to host an international marathon in April – Governor Douye Diri 
By Maxwell Kumoye 
 
 

Plateau State athletes turned Yenagoa into their personal playground on Saturday, sweeping the elite titles at the 6th Senator Douye Diri (SDD) National 10km Marathon and underlining their dominance on Nigeria’s road-running scene.

James Gang led a strong Plateau charge in the elite men’s race, storming to victory in 30:58.75 seconds to erase the memory of last year’s second-place finish. 

He was chased home by teammate Francis James (32:05.87), while Cross River’s Ishmael Sadjo settled for third in 32:14.31.

The women’s race was no different. Plateau runners locked out the podium as Akusho Lydia-Thomas crossed first in 38:30.37, ahead of Vivian Obadiah (38:52.78) and Tanko Iyanj (38:54.84) in a clean sweep.

Local talents also had their moment in the sun in the teens categories. 

Andrew Richards of Bishop Dimieri Grammar School topped the boys’ race, followed by Okenema Samuel and Chinedu Deindein, while Igbeita Innocent of Divine International School claimed the girls’ title ahead of Alex Sunshine and Yebiboh Favour.

Beyond the medals, the biggest cheers came from the podium announcement by Bayelsa State Governor, His Excellency Senator Douye Diri. 

The governor revealed that prize money across all categories will be increased from the next edition, with elite winners set to pocket ₦2 million from 2027. 

He also confirmed that Bayelsa will host an international marathon in April this year.

“Because of the good roads in our state, we’ve approved an international marathon for Bayelsa,” Diri said. “This is empowerment that brings out your skill and talent and sends you to the world.”

Diri further challenged chairmen of the state’s eight local government areas to organise grassroots marathons to help unearth talents in rural communities and feed them into the SDD Marathon finals.

Sports Commissioner, Dr Daniel Igali, praised the improved organisation and participation, noting that the race distance was increased by one kilometre this year as part of efforts to sharpen middle-distance talents. 

Marathon initiator, Odonkumo Igbeita, said the event was designed to create wealth through sports and identify young runners via the teens category.

The event climaxed with the presentation of dummy cheques, as Gang and Akusho smiled away with ₦1 million each, while runners-up received ₦500,000 and ₦300,000 respectively. 

Fifty student participants also went home with school bags courtesy of the Glory Diri Foundation.

From Plateau’s dominance to Bayelsa’s bold plans, the SDD Marathon is fast running its way into Nigeria’s elite road races.

 



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