Ben du Bois of Australia wins the Mt. Obuda race (© FlamingText)
The organisers of the second edition of the Obudu Ranch Mountain race in Cross River State, Nigeria to be held on Saturday 25 November 2006 have announced a significant increase in this year's prize money.
The winners will receive US$ 50,000, runners up will receive US$ 20,000, then third US$ 9000, fourth US$ 8000, fifth US$ 7000, sixth US$ 6000, seventh US$ 5000 and eighth US$ 4000, and the women's race will have the same prize money as the men's race.
The course is on a twisting tarmac road starting at an altitude of 765m and climbing 790m to the Obudu ranch plateau at altitude 1575m. The distance is 11km.
Last year's race was won by Australian Ben Du Bois in a time of 48:44, and for the women, Anna Pichrtova (CZE) in a time of 55:46.
Athletes entering from outside of Nigeria are being offered return transport to Obudu from Calabar and full board accommodation by the organisers, and an official letter to aid in visa applications. Top invited international level athletes will receive, in addition, all expenses to arrive in Calabar.
The event is an associate member of the World Mountain Running Association (WMRA) and has been promoted to be an IAAF permit race, and a comprehensive Anti-doping testing programme will be carried out during the event.
The event web page is www.obuduranchmountainrace.com on which a race entry form can be found.