The 2022 Nanka Marathon powered by Nanka Youths in Diaspora, has ended as Mr. Ugochukwu Nduka and Miss Oluebube Okoli both from Enugwu village Nanka emerged winners in both male and female categories respectively.

 

Nanka Marathon is a sporting activity initiated in 2019 by Nanka Youths in Diaspora with the vision of encouraging emerging and hidden sport talents as well as promoting mental and physical fitness among teeming youths of the community.

Before kicking of the event, blood pressure of the athletes were checked to ensure fitness and the fourth edition kicked off from Austica field, Ifite Nanka, through Ekwulobia and Oko round about, back to Austica field to Afor Nanka, and terminated at Neuros Sports Stadium Nanka.

 

The race was fascinating as fans chased and hailed the fastest runners on motorcycles and vehicles, while other racers who could not make it were assisted through ambulance.

At the end of the marathon, Mr Ugochukwu Nduka came first in male category , followed by Mr. Kelechi Egwu both from Enugwu village and Chukwudi Anakoba of Umudala village who came third in the male category.

 

In the female category, Miss Oluebube Okoli of Enugwu village took the first position, Miss Chidiebele Okeke of Ubahu village came second and Chinaecherem Reuben emerged the third winner.

The first positions received One hundred thousand Naira, second positions went home with Eighty thousand Naira each and third positions got seventy thousand naira each.

 

Other participants received various consolation prizes from the organizers of the annual event, while a philanthropist from the community gave One hundred thousand Naira from first to tenth positions.

 

In his opening speech, the chairman of the Organizing Committee for the 2022 Nanka Marathon, Mr. Chigbolumogu Ekwelum, noted that Nanka Youths in Diaspora remained committed to improving on sports development, adding that the initiative is to foster togetherness, love and hunt talents and put smiles on the faces of the youths.

In separate interviews, Chairman of Nanka Youths in Diaspora, Mr. Obinna Nwosu, and a member, Mr. Iloabuchi Chukwugbogu said the 2022 edition took a great step, adding that plans are on towards making the event stronger, while encouraging other communities to emulate Nanka as regards to empowering their youths.

 

Mr. Nduka and Miss Okoli who came first at the end of the race, expressed happiness and appreciated the sponsors for encouraging them.