Jalingo, the state capital, hosted its first-ever Taraba Marathon last Saturday, marking a significant milestone in the region’s sports scene.
Despite an early morning downpour covering the city, a large number of male and female runners participated in the event.
The 21-kilometer race started at the flyover bridge on Roadblock in Jalingo, passed through Barde Way and Bye Pass, and concluded at Jolly Nyame Stadium.
Joseph Joshua, the Commissioner of Sports, emphasized that the marathon is a key part of the state’s preparations for global sporting events such as the World Olympics. He commended Governor Agbu Kefas’s strong commitment to sports development and announced plans to renovate Jolly Nyame Stadium to enhance local sports activities.
Joshua also mentioned that the marathon will become an annual event, drawing athletes from across the country.
In the men’s category, Newforth Mathias won with a time of 1 hour, 5 minutes, and 41 seconds, while Charity Ogufure secured the women’s title, finishing in 1 hour, 12 minutes, and 22 seconds.
Both champions attributed their success to rigorous training and thanked the Taraba State government for its hospitality towards athletes from other states.
Several participants noted that the heavy rain posed a challenge and affected their performance.
The Commissioner stated, “We welcomed athletes from various states, including top runners from Delta and Plateau. This race was open to all athletes nationwide, and with the success of this inaugural event, future marathons will be even larger and more dynamic.”
Cash prizes of N200,000, N150,000, and N100,000 were awarded to the top three finishers in each category, and all participants received certificates of participation.
