Coal City 2024: Plateau athletes dominate half marathon in Enugu

Francis James of Plateau emerged as the as the winner of the maiden edition of the Zenith Bank Coal City Half Marathon on Saturday in Enugu.

James returned in a time of 1:12 minutes and 2 seconds . to win the N1 million prize money.

Ismael Sajo of Cross River came in second with a time of 1:13 min:51sec, and Nenfort Mathias of Plateau came in third with a time of 1:43 min:5sec.

Also Patience Dalyop of Plateau clocked 1: 25mins: 51secs to win the female category, while Agbofure Charity of Delta came second in a time of 1: 26mins: Munifikat Emmanuel of Plateau came third.

The second and third-place winners received the sums of N500,000 and N300,000, respectively.

Speaking, Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State said his administration was ready to improve on the successes recorded at the marathon.

“I assure you that by 2025, we will upgrade it to international standard, ” he said

Mbah said the state was ready to host the best athletes in Nigeria, adding that his administration would encourage all forms of sporting activities.

He commended the management of Zenith Bank for partnering with state in sports development.

The Zonal Head, Zenith Bank Enugu Njideks Aroh, commended Mbah for the infrastructural development of Enugu State.

She said that the bank was ready to partner with the state government on sports development.

Also speaking,the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Lloyd Ekweremadu, thanked Zenith Bank for the partnership.

She announced a N100,000 reward for each of the state athletes who participated in the event.

Ekweremadu said thatthe gesture is aimed at encouraging more participation of indigenes of Enugu State in future competitions.