Okpekpe Race unveils route to successful gold label 10km event

Runners compete at the 2019 Okpekpe International Road Race. The World Athletics-sanctioned event will return in May 2022.

Organisers of Okpekpe International 10km Road Race have unveiled a plan for the success of the ninth edition of the event, which holds on May 27, 2023 in Okpekpe, Estako East Local Council of Edo state.

According to Director of Media and Activation, Dare Esan, the race’s secretariat will open on May 22 to begin the final countdown to the first gold label 10km road race in Nigeria.

Esan said the Secretariat will open in Auchi, near Okpekpe, five days before the event to prepare, among other things, for the arrival of technical and medical equipment, as well as the arrival of the elite athletes.”

He also said that volunteers for the race will begin their training to ensure a hitch-free event, adding, “this time around, we are going to engage more volunteers…”

‘we are partnering with Edo State University in Uzauire, near Auchi, where about 200 students will work as volunteers for the race in the area of accommodation, medicals, media, transportation and technical.

“We are bringing in these students as volunteers as a way of imparting in them practical knowledge of management. Like the Edo state Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, said at the pre-race conference last week in Benin, “sports sharpens our knowledge, and physical ability and reduces social vices in society.”

Esan also revealed that accreditation and medical tests would begin on May 23, while foreign and Nigerian elite athletes will undertake a tour of the race’s course on Thursday.

On security, Esan declared that all arrangements have been concluded for another trouble and crime-free event, saying, “we visited Edo State Commissioner of Police,