Nigerian runner wins first Bafuji Hills Marathon in Gaoua

The inaugural Bafuji Hills Marathon, organized by Fitness Park gym, took place on Saturday, March 28, in Gaoua, with over 700 marathoners participating. Nigerian Boyi Gang James won the 21 km race, completing it in 1 hour, 8 minutes, and 15 seconds, and received 1 million FCFA. He was followed by Ghanaian runners Koogo Athia 1 hour, 10 minutes, 8 seconds and Dand Nakouroi 1 hour, 10 minutes, 43 seconds. Idrissou Agani from Benin finished fourth, and Burkinabe Aboubacar Nébié came in fifth with a time of 1 hour, 16 minutes, and 14 seconds. In the women's 21 km race, Ghanaian Aido Mariama secured first place with a time of 1 hour, 20 minutes, and 19 seconds, earning 500,000 FCFA. The event also included 10 km and 5 km races. Djakaridja Traoré won the men's 10 km in 38 minutes, 36 seconds, while Ornelle Kaboré won the women's 10 km in 47 minutes, 53 seconds, each receiving 200,000 FCFA and a trophy. For the 5 km race, Hien Marcelin finished first among men in 19 minutes, 2 seconds, and Bedwerè Kambou won among women in 21 minutes, 21 seconds, each awarded 100,000 FCFA and a trophy. Boyi James Gang praised the organizers for the initiative. Serge Gnaniodem Poda, the Minister in charge of Commerce, highlighted the event's economic impact and its promotion of values like discipline and cohesion. Marathon promoter Dr. Sitapha Kossi expressed satisfaction with the successful organization and mobilization. Théophile Missiri Sawadogo, the national technical director of the Burkinabe At