Sixteen-year-old Nigerian distance runner gives notice to rampant Kenyan marathoners invading 'his' turf

© ACL Sports

ATHLETICS: Sixteen-year-old Nigerian distance runner gives notice to rampant Kenyan marathoners invading 'his' turf

Abigael Wafula 14:00 - 13.09.2023

The youngster vowed to defeat his East African peers in subsequent marathon races held in Nigeria.

Francis James, a 16-year-old marathoner from Nigeria, believes he can easily defeat Kenyan marathoners in upcoming races.

In an interview with ACL Sports, the youngster wants to lock out top podium spot the rampant East African peers in subsequent marathon races held in Nigeria.

At the just concluded 2023 Lotus Bank Abeokuta 10km Race in Ogun state, Nigeria, James finished fifth overall and won Nigeria’s men’s category with a time of 31:08.

In a post-race interview, he also noted that his coach has plans to give him training programs that will give him a much better time in the long-distance races.

“The 10km race was a tough one for me; I felt like stopping but God gave me the strength to finish it. I ran a Personal Best (31:08) and all I need is more training to reduce my time.

At the 2022 National Sports Festival in Delta State, I finished fourth position in the 10,000m race with a time of 31:51.

I bounced back in July to win the second edition of the Mangrove Marathon Race 2023. I strongly believe that I have what it takes to rule Nigeria and Africa,” he said.

He also promised his country that he would definitely win a medal at the forthcoming African Games in Ghana.

“With God, all things are possible, that is why I have the hope of winning a medal for Nigeria at the African Games in Ghana. Impossible is nothing,” he said.

Tags: