Ethiopians Dinkesa, Dironeda win 8th Obudu Mountain Race

Abebe celebrates win 8th Obudu Mountain Race

Ethiopia's Etenesh Dironeda races for the finish line to win the women's event at 8th Obudu Mountain Race

Ethiopia's Abebe Dinkesa on Saturday won the 8th Obudu Mountain Race in a keenly contested race included about one hundred international athletes. 

Dinkesa, now three times winner of the Obudu Mountain Race, having won in two other editions; 2008 and 2010, returned in a time of 1.00.58 hours Fellow East African, Macdonarad Ondara from Kenya placed 2nd in a time of 1.02.00 hours while Robert Chemosine also from Kenya placed 3rd by finishing the race in 1.03.00 hours.

In the female race another Ethiopian Etenesh Dironeda returned in a time of 1.00.03hours , while Rita Jepto of Kenya who won in 2007 placed 2nd by clocking 1.02.45 hours while Kipoech Paskalia from Kenya emerged 3rd when she finished in 1.04.02 hours.

For the Nigerian runners, Plateau State grabbed all that was at stake in this category as Emmanuel Gyang from Pankshin took 1st, Gideon Goyep and Danjuma Gyang from Vom took 2nd and 3rd positions respectively.

For the Nigerian female runners Deborah Pam from Plateau state came 1st, Janet Dung placed 2nd and 13 year old Jacinta Machu from the Obudu Ranch community returned 3rd; a performance that placed them 8th, 9th and 10th respectively in Africa.

A visibly elated Dinkesa told journalists that he was very fit for this year's competiton, a different stroke from last year when he placed a distant 11th position.

“I prepared very well for this race and I am happy I won. The new course is very tough and it is amazing”, Dinkesa said.

Dinkesa dedicated the victory to his wife whom he married earlier this year and added that more should be expected from him in 2013.

He said, “Winning the race and conquering the mountain was not easy because the course is rugged and hilly, but I will come back next year and I am not afraid of any challenger.”