Ethiopia Dominates Inaugural Yenagoa City International 10KM Race as Habtamu Birhane Claims Historic Victory

Habtamu Birhane makes history winning the inaugural Yenagoa City 10KM Race. Ethiopian women sweep the podium as Governor Diri pledges annual support for the event.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 4, 2026, 11:08 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from LEADERSHIP Media Group.

A Historic Milestone for Bayelsa Athletics

The sporting landscape of Bayelsa State underwent a significant transformation on April 4, 2026, with the successful staging of the first-ever Yenagoa City International 10KM Race. Organized by Nilayo Sports Management in collaboration with the State Sports Ministry, the event aimed to elevate the region’s global profile. The race concluded with a historic win for Ethiopia’s Habtamu Birhane, who set the pace for what officials hope will become a premier fixture on the African long-distance running circuit.

Men’s Results: Birhane Leads the Pack

Habtamu Birhane crossed the finish line in a swift 29 minutes and 23 seconds to claim the inaugural title and the $5,000 top prize. He was closely pursued by a pair of elite Nigerian distance runners: Gang James, who finished second with a time of 29:59 ($3,000), and Francis James, who secured third place in 30:16 ($2,000). The competitive times recorded by the top three finishers underscore the high caliber of the course and the burgeoning talent within the West African running community.

Women’s Results: Total Ethiopian Dominance

The women’s division was a showcase of East African distance-running prowess, as Ethiopian athletes swept the entire podium. Shewaye Dugo Tolosa claimed the gold with a time of 33:50, followed by Tigist Girma in 34:07 and Gacasho Jilo in 34:57. This clean sweep highlights the depth of the Ethiopian training programs and sets a high benchmark for local female athletes to aim for in subsequent editions of the Yenagoa race.