Athletes
Organisers of the annual Okpekpe 10km road race have announced a new prize money outlay for the fourth edition of the race, which holds on Saturday May 7, 2016.
Spokesman for the race, Dare Esan revealed that a total of $92,000 in prize money would be paid to the top eight finishers in the men and women’s race with the winner in each gender category going home with $15,000, while $10,000 and $7,000 respectively will go to the second and third placed finishers.
‘’The prizes for 4th-8th placed finishers in each gender category are $5,000, $3,000, $2,500, $2,000, and $1,500 respectively,” Esan said.
“Athletes achieving a world leading time will be eligible for a special bonus, which will be revealed in due course,” Esan added, noting that the performance must be an improvement on the existing time.
He further revealed that the organisers were considering using at least, a pacemakers to help the athletes in their record-chasing mission.
“Pacemakers are runners who lead a middle-or long distance running event for the first section to ensure a fast time and are frequently employed by race organisers for world record attempts with specific instructions for lap times. This time we are employing them for world leading times,” he explained.
Esan also explained why there is a reduction in the prize money for the top three finishers in this year’s race. Last year the top three finishers were rewarded with $25, 000, $15, 000 and $10,000 respectively.
- Guardian