Kefar Williams and Blessing Solomon representing Plateau State have emerged as the inaugural winners of the National Cross Country race held at the Rhino Gold Course in Jos, on February 18, 2023.
Kefar ran 31:38.30 to win the race ahead of 2022 national 3000 meters steeplechase champion, Stephen Joshua (31:51.69) and Emmanuel Gwang (32:01.77) who came second and third respectively.
Williams’ time is a personal best for him and a course record.
The Police Sergeant expressed his delight after the race and wants the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development and the Athletics Federation of Nigeria to give distance runners more competitions.
In the words of Kefar Williams:
“I believe we can rival the East Africans if we get the same level of attention and support they get here.”
For the women’s race run separately from the men in accordance with international standards, Blessing Solomon, the 2022 National Sports Festival 3000 meters steeplechase champion ran 38:36.12 to win ahead of 11 time national 5000/1000 meters champion, Deborah Pam (38:47:37) and Grace Danlami.
Pam, the best Nigerian runner at the Gold label Access Bank Lagos City Marathon early this month was delighted to run her first Cross Country race in Nigeria.
“I am delighted to be a part of this historic race. I had to leave Lagos last (Friday) night to be able to run today (Saturday) and happy to finish among the first three” said the 32-year-old Deborah Pam, whose husband, Emmanuel Gyang finished third in the men’s race.
For their efforts as inaugural winners of the National Cross Country race, the top three finishers in the men and women’s race received ₦300,000, ₦200,000 and ₦100,000 respectively.
Athletes, who finished from fourth to 12th, also got paid for their efforts.
The race was flagged off by the Zonal Coordinator for the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Mrs. Deborah Pitman.
