February 9, 2016 By Sahr Morris Jr.
Mustapha ‘Elmuzzay’ Kamara has set a new 42km national record after clocking 2 hours, 34 minutes and 01 second in Saturday’s Marathon race held in Lagos, Nigeria.
Unlike the previous national record of 2 hours, 34 minutes and 70 seconds set by Francis Jonah on a-hand-timing, Kamara achieved his with an electronic timing to finish in 18th position out of the 20,000 marathoners who competed in Lagos.
Moreover, Kamara’s countryman, Osman Charley, clocked 2hrs, 35min and 90sec to finish in 20th position.
The duo’s performance came as a surprise to many, including the Sierra Leone Athletics Association (SLAA) Public Relations Officer, Abubakarr Baraka, who admitted that the association was pleased with the runners’ performance, which he described as surprising.
“The truth is we were taken by surprise by their performance mainly because they left without much preparation,” said Baraka. “To finish in such positions against world class runners was a great performance by our boys, especially Mustapha ‘Elmuzzay’ Kamara who now holds the 42km national record.”
Kenya’s Abraham Kiptom was the first to breast the tape after 2hrs, 16min and 19sec to finish first in the men’s category, while his compatriot Kipkemboi Hosea came second with 2hrs, 16min and 34sec. Ethiopia’s Debebe Tolosa finished third with a time of 2 hours, 16 minutes and 40 seconds.
Kiptom’s victory also saw him pocket US$50,000 as the star prize money, while Halima Husein Kayo of Ethiopia, who emerged winner in the female category, also took home the star prize of US$50,000.
The race began at the National Stadium (Old Lagos) with nothing less than 20,000 marathoners and ended at the Eko Atlantic city (New Lagos).