Kenyan long-distance runner, Timothy Kibii, has emerged winner of the fourth edition of the Port Harcourt International Marathon, tagged The Green Race, held on Saturday in Rivers State.
Kibii defeated approximately 3,000 athletes from Nigeria and other countries to clinch the top prize in the competition, taking home $5,000.
The 21-kilometre race, which commenced at the Polo Club in the Government Reserved Area (GRA) of Port Harcourt, took participants through several major roads and streets before ending at the starting point.
Speaking during the event, the Chairman of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Allwell Ihunda, described the marathon as an important platform for discovering sporting talents and promoting the tourism potential of Rivers State.
Ihunda noted that the competition would also contribute to the state’s economy by attracting participants and visitors from different parts of Nigeria and beyond, thereby creating business opportunities for hotels and other hospitality establishments.
He expressed the council’s willingness to continue partnering with the organisers to ensure the success of future editions.
In his remarks, the convener of the marathon, Goodluck Azunwena, said the competition was established to showcase Port Harcourt to the international community and position the city as a major destination for sporting activities.
According to him, the initiative is aimed at making Port Harcourt part of global conversations on sports and environmental sustainability, which informed the adoption of the theme, The Green Race.
Azunwena also disclosed that the long-term vision of the competition was not only to attract international athletes to Port Harcourt but also to develop and promote local runners who could compete in international marathon events.
He commended the Rivers State Government and relevant partner agencies for their support, assuring participants and stakeholders that subsequent editions would be better organised.
Speaking after his victory, Kibii expressed satisfaction with the organisation of the competition, describing the race as a positive experience.
The Kenyan athlete said he had arrived in Port Harcourt hoping to finish among the top three competitors but was pleasantly surprised to emerge the overall winner.
He, however, identified the hot weather conditions in Port Harcourt as one of the major challenges he encountered, explaining that it was different from the cooler, high-altitude environment where he trained in Kenya.
Kibii also observed that the level of competition among marathon runners in Kenya was higher compared to what he experienced in Nigeria.
The organisers announced cash prizes for the leading finishers, with Kibii receiving $5,000 for emerging champion. Consolation prizes were also provided for athletes who finished up to seventh position.
