Okpekpe Race: Walk race gold medallist vows to prove mettle

Fadekemi Olude, a race walk gold medallist at the 2015 African Youth Athletics Championships (AYAC), has vowed to prove her mettle at the forthcoming 5th Okpekpe International 10km Road Race.

It was reported that Okpekpe race, the only International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Label Road Race in Africa is scheduled for May 13 in Edo State.

Olude, who recently recognised her strength for long distance races told NAN on Monday that she hoped to win first the Nigerian female category.

“I didn’t believe it at first that I could win the second Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, but I guess being a race walker also helped me to achieve the position.

“I am planning to win the best Nigerian female position in Okpekpe with God on my side’’ she said.

Olude said she would repeat the feat like she did at the 2nd Access Bank Lagos City Marathon on Feb.11 in Lagos.

It was also reported that Olude won the 42km race with a time of 2:55:16.

She said that she would continue to feature in race walks and marathons.

Countries expected to participate in the event are Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Eritrea, Bahrain, Germany, Turkey, Morocco, Burundi and host, Nigeria.

New technological innovations such as mobile applications, line tracking and transponders have been introduced into this year’s competition.