The winners, first and second runners-up in the male and female categories of the 5th edition of the Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi Independence Day Mini-Marathon spoke with members of THE IMPACT crew that covered the event – Kunle ADELABU, the Publisher/Reporter-in-Chief, as well as our reporters, Mariam AKINLOYE and Olatunji ADEMOLA, on their experiences and plans for the future. Excerpts:
“I Made Up My Mind To Win From The Beginning” – Alloy, Overall Winner of the 2019 Oba Kabir Shotobi Mini-Marathon Race.
Alloy Ifeanyi John, JSS3 student of Imota Community Junior School, Imota.
IMPACT: When did you start running?
Alloy: This is my first year of participating in the Oba Shotobi Independence Day Marathon but I had been engaging in relay race since my primary school days.
IMPACT: How do you feel emerging the overall winner of this year’s edition of the marathon race?
Alloy: I feel happy and excited.
IMPACT: How long have you been training for this race?
Alloy: I have been training since two weeks ago.
IMPACT: What was on your mind when you started the race with others?
Alloy: Before starting the race, I made up my mind to win. Although, as an athlete, you either win or lose in a race but my own mindset was that I am going to win. I also prayed to God and He answered me.
“I feel Great” – Oluwatuyi Michael, First Runner-up (Male category).
Oluwatuyi Michael Boluwatife, 16 year old student of Yewa Senior Grammar School, Ikorodu.
IMPACT: When did you start running?
Oluwatuyi: Since last year September
IMPACT: How do you feel emerging second in the marathon race?
Oluwatuyi: This is my first time of participating in the race and I feel great.
IMPAT: What message do you have for the organisers of the event?
Oluwatuyi: I want to say thank you to Hon. Agunbiade and other members of the organising committee. I pray that God will reward them for giving us a platform to showcase our talents.
IMPACT: What is your future plan?
Oluwatuyi: To continue training and also participate in the next year’s edition of the race.
“I Prayed To God To Win And I Did My Best” – Sekoni, Second Runner-up (Male category).
Sekoni Olawale, 16 year old SS 3 student of Mercy Private School, Ikorodu.
IMPACT: How do you feel emerging in the third position and what was on your mind at the beginning of the race?
Sekoni: I prayed to God to let me win the race and I did my best. I feel great and excited.
IMPACT: Are you going to participate in the next year’s edition?
Sekoni: Yes, I am going to take part.
“I Want To Participate In More Competitions And Prepare For Next Year’s Edition Of The Marathon Race ”, Akanbi Muslim, Winner , Female category.
Akanbi Muslim, SSS 1 student of Luwasa Senior High School, Ijede, winner of the female category of the 5th edition of the Oba Kabiru Shotobi Independence Day Mini-Marathon.
IMPACT: When did you start running?
Muslim: I have been running since 2017.
IMPACT: How do you feel winning the female category of the race?
Muslim: I feel excited and happy.
IMPACT: What do you have to say to the organisers of this event?
Muslim: I want to say thank you to them for organizing the competition. May God bless them.
IMPACT: After winning this race, what next?
Muslim: I intend to participate in more competitions and also participate in the next year’s edition of this competition.
“I Will Be Working Towards 2020 Edition” – Awawu, First Runner-Up female category)
Bashiru Awawu Rebecca, 13 year old JSS 3 student of United High School, Ikorodu.
IMPACT: How do you feel emerging second best in the female category?
Awawu: I feel elated and happy.
IMPACT: Are you going to participate in subsequent editions of the annual event?
Awawu: Yes, I will be working towards participating in the next year’s edition.
IMPACT: Thank you.
“Boarding School Prevented Me From Training”, – Zainab, Second Runner-Up in the female category and the longest Serving Participant of the mini marathon race.
Wahab Zainab Idowu has been participating in the marathon race since 2016.
IMPACT: You have been participating in this competition for how long?
Zainab: This is my fourth year.
IMPACT: What was your position last year?
Zainab: I took second last year but emerged first in 2017 and second in 2016. I emerged in the third position this year and this is because I now attend a boarding school which prevented me from having time to train.
IMPACT: How do you feel coming third?
Zainab: I feel okay even though I planned to win the race but it’s okay because no one can be champion forever.
IMPACT: What is your plan for the future?
Zainab: I am already representing Lagos State in the U-15 competitions and I will be training more to participate in this competition next year and win.
IMPACT: Your message for the organisers?
Zainab: I want to thank Hon. SOB Agunbiade. God will continue to bless him so that he can continue to sponsor this event.
