The town of Ijebu Ode has taken a sporting look with youths converging on the city in preparation for the Ijebu Heritage Half Marathon slated for Saturday, July 17. The city is also expecting international athletes for the 21-kilometre race.
The marathon, which is sponsored by Rite Foods, has Bigi Table Water as its official beverage with six water points in every 2.5 kilometres of the race, which will begin from Tunde Debasco Road, Ejirin, and end at the Otunba Dipo Dina International Stadium, Ijebu Ode.
Speaking on Bigi’s support for the race, Rita Foods’ Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Seleem Adegunwa, said the firm identifies with worthy initiatives that add value to lives, as demonstrated in the just concluded Bigi Soft Drinks’ sponsored Nigerian Idol music reality show.
Among the international male athletes billed to feature in the competition are Kenya’s Bernard Sang, who won the 2020 Istanbul Marathon, Hosea Chirchir Kiplimo, Rhonzas Lokitam, Kilimo, Eliud Mewangi, Sammy Nyokaye, John Muriuri Mburi, William Amponsah, Titus Kipruto Kibiego, and Paul Korch. Others are Uganda’s Ezekiel Chepkoromk and Azerbaijan’s Desta Fitsun Weldu.
The international women runners coming to Ijebu Ode include world athletics gold-label runner, Shila Jepkosgei, Ghana’s Juliana Lariba Sakat, Kenya’s Gladys Jepkemoi Chemweno, Caern Jebet Maiyo, Ruth Karanja, Susy Chebet Chemaimak, and Hannah Wanjiru Gatheru. Also on the list is Uganda’s Racheal Zena Chebet, and Bahrain’s Damaris Muthee Mutua.
