Wadata Barau, hailing from Bauchi State, emerged as the triumphant runner in the male category during the fourth edition of the Senator Douye Diri (SDD) Bayelsa Marathon.
The event, held on a Saturday, saw 135 athletes competing across various categories, including elite, teens, and leisure runners, in both the 21km and 5km races.
Barau, a 24-year-old 400-level student at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, outpaced his rivals in the 21km elite event, securing the coveted N500,000 star prize.
The marathon commenced at the Akenfa community along the Glory Drive and concluded at the Peace Park in Yenagoa. Nenfort Martins and Selengue Constant from Plateau State secured the second and third positions in the male category, earning cash prizes of N300,000 and N200,000 respectively.
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In the female category, Yilven Nicholas from Plateau State clinched the top spot, followed by Charity Agofure from Delta State and Goar Grace from Plateau State. Andrew Bright emerged as the champion in the male teen category, receiving a cash reward of N150,000, while Wisdom Fyneface and a tie between Abule Ayibakipriye and Moses Amalala claimed the second and third positions, each receiving a cash prize of N100,000 and N50,000 respectively.
Senator Douye Diri, the Governor of Bayelsa State, commended the participants and organizers for their involvement in the historic SDD Bayelsa Marathon. He highlighted the marathon’s significance, expressing his satisfaction with the growing interest among young people. Diri envisioned Bayelsa as a hub for sports excellence, fostering talent that could compete both nationally and internationally.
“The marathon was initiated by a young man in the state, Comrade Odonkumo Igbeita, who mobilised some persons on a walk from Kolokuma/Opokuma to Yenagoa in appreciation of my emergence as governor in February 2020. Since then, l became interested in their activities and this is the fourth edition in the marathon series.
“l am happy that young people have keyed into the SDD Bayelsa Marathon and the participants of this race will go beyond Bayelsa and excel at national and international competitions. Bayelsa should be the cradle of sports in Nigeria.”
