The status of the Obudu International Mountain Race has been upgraded from just an associate member race to a premium event by the World Mountain Running Association (WMRA).
The race which came into existence in 1995 as a WMRA associate race has recorded tremendous achievements and grown to become one of the eagerly anticipated races in the world of mountain running. Hence, it is now listed among the major races in the calendar of the WMRA.
The Honourable Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development in Cross River State and member of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the race, which also includes the African Mountain Running Championships, Patrick Ugbe, noted that the event has always received the backing of the sport’s governing body.
“We are really delighted that the Obudu International Mountain Race has continued to be accorded the rightful status it deserves,” he said.
“We have always enjoyed the physical presence of the WMRA president at the race since the inaugural edition in 2005.
“We had the late president, Danny Hughes, with us for the first four or five editions before his demise. Bruno Gozzelino, who took over from him, has also been a huge part of our race.
“This shows how important the event is to the world mountain running family.”
Ugbe promised that the LOC will not relent in its culture of organising world-class event according to the directive of the State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke.
The 9th Obudu International Mountain Race has been slated for Saturday November 23 at the Obudu Ranch Resort in Cross River State.
