Obudu 2013: Organisers intensify preparations

The Local Organising Committee for the 9th Obudu International Mountain Race and the 5th African Mountain Running Championships met in Calabar at the weekend to firm up strategies ahead of the events scheduled for November.

Chairman of the committee, Sir William Archibong, said the body considered issues that include list of elite athletes confirmed for the race.

“We basically looked at logistics, as well as technical and administrative aspects of the race,” Archibong said, adding that athletes who had registered after the deadline were also considered with a view to enabling them compete in the events.

“Nonetheless, we had to scrutinise the registered so that we could settle for the best due to the status being enjoyed by the race across the world,” the LOC chief, who has chaired the committee since 2005, further said.


Winners in each gender category will go home with $50, 000 each while there are also cash prizes for athletes who place among the first 10,” he explained.

“We also have prizes for the best Nigerian finishers, the children who will run in a separate children’s race which is designed to expose athletes from areas bordering the Obudu Ranch Resort venue of the race and catch them young as well as for the media,” Archibong stated.

This 2013 race to be held on November 23 will be flagged off by Cross River Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke, who is reputed as the race’s number one supporter.