Nigeria’s elite long-distance runners have set their sights on the Warri/Effurun Peace Marathon billed for November 25, 2023, and Ismael Sadjo is one of the athletes fired up to clinch the top prize.
Sadjo’s quest to win a back-to-back title was punctuated by Emmanuel Gyan in the 2022 edition, but the former champion, one of the talents still standing from the now rested Cross River State grassroots development programme, said he is poised to ward off competition from Gyan, Stephen Dalyop, Yaron Vom and others coming from the stable of Coach Stephen Nuhu.
“I am ready for the Jos boys this time around,” said Sadjo. “Last year, I was not at my best, but now I’ve trained hard and in good shape, my target is to win the title.
“I hear it’s now 21km, I am just ready to run and win it.”
Meanwhile, preparations are in top gear for the event sanctioned by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and backed by the Delta State government.
CEO of the WEPM, Joyce Bozimo, said, yesterday, that all arrangements have been made to have a smooth race, noting that the 2023 edition will feature schools and corporate participation to give the citizens of Warri and Effurun a feel of the fun.