4th Obudu Ranch International Mountain Race
24/11/2008
“The Worlds Richest Mountain Race
Silver medallists clash
This a title proudly claimed by the organisers of the Obudu Ranch International Mountain race in Cross River state, Nigeria to be held on 29h November.
It is indeed justified with a prize list from first to tenth positions of $50,000, $15,000, $9,000 down to $2,000. Unusually for an African event, the women will receive exactly the same prize money as the men.This has attracted two of the worlds leading female endurance athletes.“
2008 IAAF World Cross Country silver medallist Mestawet Tufa Demisse and 2008 IAAF World Half Marathon silver medallist, Aselefech Merga Medessa, both of Ethiopia. Their talent for competing on the 11km course which climbs steadily for 800m will be tested by the experienced 2008 World Mountain Running Champion, Andrea Mayr of Austria. Also competing will be Kedir Rehima (ETH) who won in a time of 53.26 in 2006. Jonathan Wyatt, six times and current World Mountain Running Champion will be severely tested by Kenyan, Ethiopian, Tanzanian, and Ugandan athletes. Leading the challengers will be Olympian, Geoffrey Kusuro (UGA) a past Junior World Running Champion and runner up in Obudu last year. Martin Toroitich (UGA) relegated to silver medal position in this years World Mountain Running Championship by Jonathan will be looking to reverse the tables. Last years Obudu winner Awash Fikadu (ETH) hopes to double his prize money with another $50,000 haul