Nigeria’s leading marathoner, Deborah Pam is hoping she can spring a surprise at the 2015 edition of the Okpekpe 10km Road Race after posting an excellent performance at the seventh edition of the Splash FM Integrity Marathon Race that was held last weekend in Ibadan.
The Plateau state-born athlete, who emerged the best Nigerian woman during the last two editions of Okpekpe road race, won the 42km Ibadan marathon in a record time of 3hrs, 3mins and 23secs.
Deborah Pam said after her victory in Ibadan that she had come of age and hopefully she would emerge the overall winner at this year edition of the Okpekpe race in May.
“I have been consistent at the competition for the past two years, but I don’t want to settle for less again,” Pam said.
“I want to become the first Nigerian athlete to win the competition and I will be going back home to intensify preparation for the competition.
“I would have started early but school activities have been affecting my preparation, but with this victory in Ibadan, I can move on from here,” she added.
Meanwhile, the coordinator of the race, Yusuf Alli, has urged members of the Okpekpe community to actively take part in the tournament.
“We want more indigenes of the state to be actively involved in the race, we are really looking forward to the locals winning something and hopefully represent Nigeria at the Olympics,” the former Nigeria international said.