Habtamu Birhane of Ethiopia has won the first edition of the Yenagoa City International 10KM Race, clocking 29 minutes and 23 seconds to claim the $5,000 top prize. The race, held in Bayelsa State, Nigeria, saw two Nigerian runners secure podium finishes behind the dominant Ethiopian. Gang James finished second in 29:59, just under the 30-minute mark, while Francis James came in third with a time of 30:16. The event marked a rare international road running competition hosted in the Niger Delta region, drawing elite and amateur runners alike. Birhane pulled away from the lead pack in the final 2 kilometers, showcasing superior endurance and pacing. The Nigerian duo's strong showing highlighted local competitiveness in long-distance running on home soil.
When an Ethiopian wins a Nigerian 10K by six seconds and takes the $5,000 prize, it exposes the gap between local talent and international class — even when Nigerians like Gang James come within a heartbeat of breaking 30 minutes. The fact that two Jameses filled the podium behind Birhane is a boost for home pride, but not a fix for the deeper need for structured endurance programs. Nigeria has speed, but sustaining pace against elite East African runners still ends in silver, not gold.
