Recently updated on February 12th, 2023 at 12:24 pm
Iliya Pam and Deborah Pam from Plateau State have emerged winners of the 10th edition of the Power Oil/Splash FM Ibadan City Marathon 2018. Iliya Pam won the male category, having finished in two hours, 36 minutes, while Deborah Pam won the female category after finishing in two hours, 51 minutes.
The 42 km race was sponsored by West Midland Communications, owners of Splash FM and Lagelu FM in conjunction with other partners.
The first three winners in the male category went home with cash prizes of ₦1 million, ₦700,000 and ₦250,000 respectively, while those in the female category got ₦700,000, ₦400,000 and ₦250,000 respectively.
Iliya Pam, a second-time winner of the race, is a 300 level student of Physical and Health Education at Federal College of Education, Pankshin, and a member of Plateau State Sports Council. Deborah Pam, a third-time winner of the same race, is an official of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Kefas Williams (2:38:32) and Yohanna Friday (2:40:42) emerged runner-up and second runner-up respectively in the male category, while Nuhu Elizabeth (3:04:21) and Hudung Gyang Stephen (3:05:28) emerged runner-up and second runner-up respectively in the male category.
All the winners from first to third in both categories of the event were from Plateau State.
Iliya Pam, who was also the winner of the 2018 Access Marathon race in Lagos, gave thanks to God for emerging victorious in the tournament.
“It is unfortunate that I ended the race in 2 hours, 36 minutes as against the 2 hours, 27 minutes of the Access race in Lagos. I had trained very well to participate in the Commonwealth but could not make it.
I am determined to compete in international long distance races against Kenyans and others.’’
Deborah Pam, who won the race in 2013 and 2015 stated:
“I could not attend the last edition due to injury. I never thought I would win this, but I thank God it happened. I have participated in several international competitions.
I participated in a 50 km race in Doha in 2015; I also participated in a race in China and Cross-Country in Uganda. I also won the last Lagos City Marathon race.”
Iliya Pam and Deborah Pam are married couples.
In the Wheelchair event, Nofisat Adefala came first, James Oyebamiji in second place, Adebayo Oduwaye in third position while Joyce Otun came fourth.Over 2,500 athletes battled for prizes at the Power Oil/Splash FM Ibadan City Marathon 2018 in Ibadan with three million prize money available.The marathon races including the wheelchair and artisan category all started off at the Liberty Stadium, Ibadan.
