CROSS RIVER, CALABAR – Students from Bakassi Local Government Area dominated the 2024 World AIDS Day Quarter Marathon in Calabar, taking every podium position and setting a new record for the annual event.
The 10.5km race, organised by the Talents-Afrique Reservoir Foundation and led by Dr. Daniel Okwoche, followed the Calabar Carnival route and formed part of the NGO’s school-based HIV/AIDS sensitisation campaign. Fifteen secondary schools from five LGAs participated in the eighth edition.
For the second straight year, Patient Effiong of Government Secondary School, Bakassi, won the girls’ category. The SS3 student said she was “very, very happy” to defend her title and thanked her mentor and parents for strengthening her confidence.
Delight Okon of Rainbow High School captured the boys’ title after finishing second last year. He said he trained harder and “gave glory to God and my coach,” adding that he is inspired by long-distance athletes he follows online.
A close source told Truthlivenews that Rainbow High School also produced two runners-up. Blessing Offiong retained her second-place finish in the girls’ race and urged organisers to sustain the annual competition. In the boys’ event, Zion Ekpo improved from fourth to second and set a clear target for 2025: “To take first position.”
First-time participant Blessing Bassey of Diamond Grammar College, Bakassi, came third in the girls’ race, while Lawrence Okon of Government Secondary School, Ikang Central, advanced from fourth to third in the boys’ category.
Speaking after the event, Dr. Okwoche said about 15 schools across Bakassi, Akpabuyo, Calabar Municipality, Calabar South and Akamkpa competed this year.
He admitted participation was lower due to economic strain but noted that Bakassi schools “took everything this year,” insisting their remote training environment strengthens endurance.
He highlighted the programme’s long-term impact, explaining that several former participants are now professional athletes, footballers or referees. “One of them represented Nigeria in Kenya at an African Championship,” he said, adding that he currently sponsors three promising athletes.
Okwoche urged the students to stay committed despite economic challenges, saying, “Be consistent. One day an opportunity will come.”
The quarter marathon continues to function as both an HIV/AIDS awareness platform and a launchpad for developing athletes in Cross River State.