GULU – Two marathoners from Gulu City are hopeful to put up a good show in the upcoming 2023 KIX Senshu International race scheduled for Izumisano city in Japan.
The duo will be among the over 2000 runners expected to feature in the 41.195 Km Marathon slated for February 12 in the southern region of Osaka Prefecture.
Walter Oyoo 26, a student of Gulu University, and Agnes Oroma, 35 earned their qualification for the race after putting up a good show in October last year during a 34-kilometre run held in Gulu City. Oyoo won the men’s race – posting a personal best time of 2hrs:04 mins, while Oroma emerged winner among female category clocking 3hrs: 40 mins.
With less than two weeks left for the Marathon in Japan, Oyoo said on Monday that he was ready to prove a point and shine on first International race.
Oyoo notes that he has been training hard in the hilly areas of Kapchorwa district to better his physique and speeds ahead of the race. He said he was hopeful to post a better time than that he set in Gulu last year.
Oroma – too noted that she had trained well and was optimistic to post good result – claiming that her experience as a runner combined with the good training would enable her shine in Japan.
Gulu City Woman MP, Betty Aol Ocan who facilitated the athletes’ training said the duo’s upcoming participation in the Japan Marathon was a blessing for the region, which doesn’t feature often in international sports – adding that the athletes had earned the rare invite to participate in the competition from Izumisano City officials.
The athletes are expected to jet out of the country on February 8 – joining two other Ugandans under the sponsorship of the Uganda Athletics Federation -UAF.
