Abebe Dinkesa wins Obudu mountain race title

Ethiopia’s Abebe Dinkesa, has emerged the winner of the 8th Obudu Ranch International Mountain Race which was concluded today in Obudu, Cross River state, making this his third victory at the annual race.    

Ethiopian came ahead of others in 1hr 03mins to clinch the top place and a cash prize of $50,000 while Kenyan’s Macdonald Ondara was second in 1 hr 06 mins and his compatriot Chemosin Robert came third in 1hr 07mins.

Dinkesa had in 2008 set a race course record of 41:45 minutes when he won his first title.

He reclaimed the title, in 2010 and today, became the first man to win the men’s title three times since the race’s inaugural edition in 2005.

The distance of the men race, which until last year was 11.25 km, is now 12km.

In the women’s race, it was yet another East Africans dominance as Etenesh Diro Neda of Ethiopia won the first position in 1hr 03mins, winning the $50,000 prize money and Kenyans again that took the second and the third position.

Bisuenei Rita Jeptoo crossed the line in 1hr 02.45mins and in third place was Kipoech Paskalia in 1hr.04mins.

PAST WINNERS OF THE OBUDU MOUNTAIN RACE

Year         Men’s winner    Time(m:s)                      Women’s winner        Time (m:s)

2005         Ben Dubois (AUS)         48:44          Anna Pichrtová (CZE)         55:46

2006         Francis Kibiwott (KEN)     42:26          Rehima Kedir (ETH)         53:26

2007         Habtamu Fikadu (ETH)    42:50          Rita Jeptoo (KEN)             51:42

2008         Abebe Dinkesa (ETH)    41:45          Andrea Mayr (AUT)            51:14

2009         Habtamu Fikadu (ETH)    42:03          Mamitu Daska (ETH)          49:12

2010         Abebe Dinkesa (ETH)    42:21          Meselech Melkamu (ETH)     48:57

2011         Hunegnaw Mesfin (ETH)    41:50         Genet Yalew (ETH)         48:45

Source: channelstv.com