Gyang, Akusho Win 6th Gov. Diri Marathon

Posted : 08 February 2026

James Gang and Lydia Akusho emerged overall winners in the men’s and women’s categories as long-distance runners from Plateau State once dominated the sixth edition of the Gov. Douye Diri Marathon held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa.

Gang won the men’s race in a time of 30:58 seconds, finishing ahead of 206 other participants out of 503 registered athletes.

Another Plateau athlete, Francis James, finished second with a time of 32:05.87 seconds, while Ismael Sadjo of Cross River State took third place in 32:14.31 seconds.

In the women’s category, Plateau continued its dominance as Akusho clocked 38:30.37 seconds to claim the title and the ₦1 million star prize.

Vivian Obadiah, also from Plateau State, placed second in 38:52.78 seconds to earn ₦500,000, while Tanko Iyanj, another Plateau athlete, finished third in 38:54.84 seconds and received ₦300,000.

The marathon, tagged the “SDD Marathon,” further saw Plateau athletes sweep the podium positions in both elite categories.

In the teen male category, Andrew Richard of Bishop Dimeari Grammar School (BDGS) emerged winner, while Okenema Samuel of Community Secondary School, Okutukutu, and Chinedu Deindein of BDGS finished second and third, respectively.

In the teen female category, Igbeita Innocent of Divine International School emerged winner, with Alex Sunshine and Yebiboh Favour finishing second and third, respectively.

Speaking at the event, Bayelsa Governor, Sen. Douye Diri, commended the convener of the marathon, Igbeita Odonkumo, for sustaining the initiative.

Diri said his administration remained committed to using sports as a tool for youth engagement and development in the state.

He urged the chairmen of the eight local government areas in the state to organise grassroots marathons that would align with the annual SDD Marathon, aimed at discovering talents from rural communities.

According to him, the local government marathons are expected to commence in 2027, with outstanding athletes forwarded to the Ministry of Sports Development ahead of subsequent editions of the SDD Marathon.

The governor also announced that Bayelsa would host an international marathon in April, describing the state as a multi-sports destination.

He further disclosed that the prize money for winners would be increased from ₦1 million to ₦2 million from the next edition, noting that sports had evolved into a viable economic venture.

The Commissioner for Sports Development, Chief Daniel Igali, said the annual marathon was designed to improve the speed and endurance of local distance runners.

Igali added that the sixth edition recorded significant improvement over previous races.

Earlier, the convener of the marathon, Odonkumo, said the event had continued to promote unity, describing sports as a global unifier.

He noted that the current edition of the marathon attracted international participation for the first time and attributed the success of the programme to the support of the Bayelsa State Government.

The champions, Gang and Akusho, in separate interviews, expressed appreciation to the organisers for sustaining the marathon.

Gyang, Akusho Win 6th Gov. Diri Marathon

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