By; AYO OJEDOKUN, Lagos
The organizers of the Amender 10km road race that is being held in Ibadan, Ahmed Kayode Abdulwahab the CEO of Amender Sports has announced 27th of March 2022 for the second edition of the long distance meet.
Abdulwahab, who is also a distance race athlete, told newsmen ahead of the second edition in Ibadan that the race was established out of dearth of competition for the distance runners which will further create opportunity and a platform to be engaged in a competitive atmosphere.
He disclosed further that new categories which includes a three kilometer race has been introduced into this year’s event to encourage and give room for junior secondary schools students that want to participate in the race.
“The last edition was won by a 15 years old athlete from Plateau State, Paul James dusted others to finish the 10kilometre marathon with 25min 37sec. we want to encourage our kids here too to embrace distance races”, said the organiser.
Oyo State Ministry of Youths and Oyo State Sports Council have endorsed and fully supported the 10km road race according to the CEO of Amender Sports who is appealing to corporate bodies and spirited individuals to assist in sustaining the project.
Abdulwahab, however, stressed the importance and benefits of long distance running apart from winning laurels and cash prizes, saying it improves endurance, trains the body to use fat for fuel and increases muscle power.
“It improves endurance: when you’re running long distance, you’re developing greater aerobic endurance so your body doesn’t have to work as hard to attain the same performance level next time, as it also trains body to use fat for fuel, as the long run will teaches your body to tap into fat as an energy source before your carbohydrates are depleted”, he noted.
Abdulwahab however thanked the firms and individuals that supported the first edition which includes: Hamex Investment, Leasing & Logistics Company, Solat Telecom, Al’ Yusuf Travels and Tour, Fajok Stores, A Makers Groups of School, Baliqis Nursery and Pry Schl. and Alh. Muhmin Raji, Principal Anwarl Islam Secondary School for supporting this athletics meets.
