Elite Athletes Arrive for the 11th Okpekpe 10km Road Race

Ethiopian star Lemi Teshome and Kenyan runner Fridah Ndinda are among the top international elite athletes expected to arrive in Lagos on Wednesday, en route to Auchi, for the 11th edition of the World Athletics Gold Label Okpekpe International 10km Road Race. The event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 30, in Okpekpe, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State.

Only 19 years old, Teshome is currently ranked as the 11th fastest man over the 10km distance worldwide this year, following his blistering 27:17 finish in Lille, France, last month. He will aim to break the Kenyan dominance of the men’s title, which has been held by Kenyan athletes since 2022, when Yasin Haji last won the race.

In the women’s category, Ndinda will seek to succeed her compatriot Gladys Kwamboka, who was victorious in 2024.

Other top elite athletes expected in Lagos include Kenyans Victor Kimosop, Julius Kibowen Kipkwony, and Mazon Kipngetich, who has already broken the 28‑minute barrier this year. Uganda’s Enoch Chebet, Tanzania’s Jummanne Ngoya and Benjamin Ratsm, and Eritrea’s Felicien Muhitira, who ran 2:06:54 in the full marathon in 2024, are also on the list of international competitors.

For the women, Kenya’s Sharon Chepkemoi and Ethiopia’s Wubrist Aschal are among the elite athletes expected to compete.

On the Nigerian front, men’s defending champion James Musa will seek to retain the title he won in 2024, but will face stiff competition from 2023 winner Ismael Sadjo. In the women’s category, Patience Daylop Mwavwang is aiming for a hat‑trick of wins after her victories in 2023 and 2024. She will, however, have to contend with multiple champion Deborah Pam Badung, who is looking to return to the podium as champion for the first time since 2019.

The Okpekpe International 10km Road Race remains a trailblazer in West Africa, being the first road race in the region to be granted a World Athletics Label status and the first in Nigeria to have its course measured by a World Athletics‑certified course measurer.

Kenya’s Daniel Simiu Ebenyo holds the men’s course record at 28:28, while Kazakhstan’s Caroline Chepkoech Kipkirui holds the women’s record at 32:38.