Kogi-born Nigerian athlete wins gold in US Irving Marathon

Kenya and Nigerian Olumudi win gold

Nigerian long distance runner Aderonke Olumudi has won gold in the 10 kilometers Women's category of the third GE Irving Marathon race in the United States on Saturday, April 4.

Olumudi, who earlier won women's silver and bronze medals at the March 14 fifth Longview Marathon and the 21st March 13th Bearathon Marathon races both in US respectively, surpass her personal best to nick the top prize in Dallas in time of 40mins: 35 seconds.

Irving Marathon race

In the men's category, Kenyan runner Barnabas Kipyego claimed the gold medal after he finished the 10 kilometers marathon race in a time 33 mins: 35 seconds.

The 20-year-old who competed alongside over 2,500 runners including participants from Kenya raced from the Irving Convention Center through Las Colinas before arriving the Campión Trail beat her fellow women runners to the finish line.

The Kogi-born runner expressed delight at the quality of exposure gained so far participating in US races despite weather challenges and aims to shine in her final race of Lake Minneola Half Marathon.

"I came from Nigeria. I sponsored myself here to race. This is my first time to the U.S., and I'm not used to running in the cold like this. It is very much warmer in my country," Olumudi told local media in US.

"I'm from Lagos, and my country is very hilly," she said. "It's flat here. I love it here, though. I love the people here.

"I'm very excited and really happy to have achieved this finally. Though, it was tough running against top runners from the World over including Kenya.

"I'm grateful to God and all those who believed in me. I'm fulfilled winning the gold medal and believe many more gold medals will follow by his grace," she said.

Olumudi will conclude her races in US at Clemont, Florida when she compete in the Lake Minneola Half Marathon billed for April 25.

By Samuel Ahmadu, follow him on Twitter