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By Bolaji Okunola
The maiden edition of Nigeria Army Barracks ‘Pikin’ Marathon, ended yesterday amidst pomp and pageantry at Ojo Contonment Barracks, Lagos.
The six kilometer race which saw parents and guardians cheering their kids as early as 7:00am, hosted over hundreds of athletes in the male and female category.
The event tagged ‘ Run From Crime’, was a huge success as organizers were on standby to maintain protocol and eradicate age cheats from athletes above 18 years of age. In quest to emerge over all winner, Benjamin Okechukwu who ran 23 minutes: 18 seconds, floored others in the race which was witnessed by Officers Village axis of the barrack and 149 Parade Ground.
Okechukwu, was closely chased by 2nd placed Christopher Nathaniel who ran 23 minutes: 52 seconds while Sulaimon Musa ended 3rd on the log with a time of 24min: 40 seconds.
As a result of the marathon format which had no gold medal for female category, Kabiru Zariya was the cynosure of all eyes by emerging 2nd after running 30minutes: 27 seconds and was closely followed by Ewa Chidinma who ran 32 minutes: 20 seconds to clinch the 3rd position.
Speaking shortly after presentation of medals and certificates to participating athletes , Commanding Officer, Rear 149 Battalion, Ojo, Lagos, Major R.A Aniaku and Sports Officer, physical training Lieutenant M.H Iliyasu, urged athletes to focus on their career and desist from deviant behavior capable of hindering their dreams just as they tasked the kids to embrace spirits of sportsmanship in their quest to for glory in the world of sports.
“I’m impressed with the large turn-out of the kids. it’s an epoch making day and I hope we keep up what we have seen here today. I must give kudos to the parents and guardians for encouraging the kids and making sure their wards see this as an opportunity to showcase their talents in sports.
“As you can see, the turn out was impressive and the officiating was fair. I am proud of these youngsters and confident that they can equally do better in other games such as football, basketball, swimming among other sports if given the opportunity to prove themselves. I want to use this medium to urge them to keep aiming high and pray the sky remain their starting point,’ Iliyasu summed up.
