Three categories of races, the 10km, 5km and 3km were held, each attracting a large field of participants.
In the 5km run, Mustapha Jatta of Prisons Services won gold while Yankuba Jahateh of Kora FM finished second and Alasana Gibba of Gambia Armed Forces, third. The Gambia’s best male long distance runner Lamin Sanneh emerged as winner of the epic 10km race followed by Labajie Sanneh. The 3km category which was meant for schoolgoing children was won by native of the village.
Roy Sanyang, CEO and founder of the marathon run thanked all the participants for pulling up their socks to to finish the race despite the extreme heat. He said the unity of the Bajana villagers made the event a success.
The proceeds raised from the first edition were used to repair the damaged roofs of the village nursery school. According to him, two athletes were sent to UK to participate in the Greater Manchester Run and the Edinburgh and Sheffield marathons through the support of Gambia Bird Airlines and the UK Embassy in The Gambia.
“We are currently building a nursery school in Brikama Jidda and plans are also under way to renovate the village nursery school,” Sanyang said.
Participants were issued with certificates, medals and trophies.
By Lamin Cham
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