The Ogun State Government has commended the effort of Rite Foods Limited, makers of Bigi drinks, Naija’s favorite carbonated soft drinks, for providing premium refreshment and hydration for athletes and indigenes at the Ijebu Heritage Half Marathon 2021 which was held on Saturday, July 17.
The commendation came at a press conference organized to officially flag off the marathon with local and international athletes and other stakeholders in attendance.
Dapo Abiodun, MFR, Executive Governor of Ogun State, who was ably represented by the commissioner for youths and sports, Ogun State, Dr. Kehinde Oluwadare, congratulated the youths of Ogun state and welcomed all athletes, local and international to the land of heritage, Ijebuland.
The commissioner revealed that the Ijebu Heritage Half Marathon was in line with the vision of the governor and his love for sports.
According to him, youth and sports empowerment is a key part of the governor’s five cardinal point agenda, and the state would continue to applaud supporters of such worthy initiatives. He lauded Rite Foods Limited for being a noteworthy sponsor, saying the company is ‘pride of the soil.’
Boluwatife Adedugbe, Brand Manager, Beverage and Bakery, Rite Foods Limited, extended the company’s profound goodwill message to the people of Ijebu, and also reiterated the company’s commitment to the needs of Ijebu people and its consumers in general.
She stated that Rite Foods’ strategy will remain aligned to meeting its consumers at touch points which resonate with its premium brands as well as brand equity journey.
“For Rite Foods, we will always have our consumers at the depth of our hearts and we will continue to empower and support as many platforms that promote healthy competition, talents and positive energy like the Ijebu Heritage Half Marathon 2021,” she added.
Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the Awujale of Ijebuland, who was ably represented by Tunde Odulaja welcomed all to the great occasion while also stating that Kabiyesi sees the marathon as a talent hunt for future Ijebu athletes who will be discovered in the process and launched into international limelight through the Ijebu marathon platform. Odulaja commended Rite Foods for the exciting refreshment it is bringing to energize all athletes, adding that the marathon will increase economic activities in Ijebuland.
At the marathon, Rite Foods provided 14 Bigi water points, to fantastically refresh and revitalize all athletes, home based and foreign, in addition to making its array of over 15 Naija’s favourite brands readily available to energize and meet the needs of all involved in the race.
Organizers reveal at the press conference that the marathon is a first of its kind in Nigeria with a 3-in-1 race which comprises 5k, 10k and the Half Marathon.
Top class runners participated in the event which was monitored professionally, as spy cameras were deployed coupled with transporter chips to track all athletes during the marathon.
It was also a clean sweep for Kenyan athletes as they claimed both the men and women categories with Hosea Kiplimo finishing the men’s race in 1:02:36 while his counterpart, Rhonzas Kilimo finished second in 1:02:57. The third position went to another Kenyan, Timothy Ronoh, who raced to the finish line in 1:02:59.
The women’s race was also won by another Kenyan, Sandra Chebet in a time of 1:10:42, with two Ethiopians, Gebaynesh Ayele and Beyenu Degefa taking the second and third position in a time of 1:10:52 and 1:11:02 respectively.
Local indigenes like Abigail Ogunbowale, an 11-year-old who finished the half marathon was rewarded with the sum of Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira by Rite Foods Limited, makers of Bigi carbonated soft drinks, while Femi Olusanya, a police officer in Ijebu-Ode who was the first to finish the race will be rewarded with Five Hundred Thousand Naira by the organizers.
The confidence of the athletes was unshaken throughout the marathon as Bigi water flooded the town to provide premium refreshment and vitality for all participants of the race. They attested to the fact that Bigi water is crisp, refreshing and its pure taste makes it the ultimate compliment for any race or marathon hydration. Bigi water represents premium quality, highest purity, freshness, confidence and reliability.
Rite Foods, makers of Bigi drinks, Naija’s favorite carbonated beverages have again, won the hearts of Ijebu people by refreshing its indigenes and athletes at the Ijebu Heritage Half Marathon 202
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