Students hailing from the Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross River State have achieved a stunning clean sweep at the eighth edition of the World AIDS Day Quarter Marathon in Calabar. The event, which aims to promote HIV/AIDS awareness through school sports, saw Bakassi pupils claim every single trophy on offer.
Bakassi Runners Claim Victory in Both Categories
The 10.5-kilometer race, organized by the Takents-Afrique Reservoir Foundation under the leadership of Dr. Daniel Okwoche, took place along the famous Calabar Carnival route on December 3, 2025. A total of 15 secondary schools from five local government areas participated in this year's campaign.
In a remarkable display of endurance, Patient Effiong, an SS3 student from Government Secondary School, Bakassi, successfully defended her title as champion in the girls' category. This marks her second consecutive victory. An elated Effiong expressed her confidence, stating her intention to win again next year.
The boys' category was won by Delight Okon from Rainbow High School, who improved from his second-place finish in 2023. Inspired by athletes he follows online, Okon dreams of becoming a professional long-distance runner. He encouraged organizers to invite more competitors from other states to raise the competition's level.
Blessing Offiong, also of Rainbow High School, secured second place in the girls' race, mirroring her achievement from the previous year.
Economic Challenges and Remote Strength
Speaking after the event, founder Dr. Okwoche provided context for this year's competition. He noted that participation was slightly lower due to prevailing economic constraints. However, this did not diminish the achievement of the Bakassi contingent, which won all trophies for the first time in the event's history.
"They took everything this year," Dr. Okwoche remarked. He suggested that the remoteness of their schools might contribute to the children's exceptional physical strength and resilience on the racecourse.
Creating a Legacy Beyond the Race
Dr. Okwoche also highlighted the marathon's significant long-term impact. The programme has served as a springboard for numerous past participants who have pursued successful careers in sports.
"One of them represented Nigeria in Kenya at an African Championship. Others are playing football abroad, and some are now football referees. I sponsor about three of them currently," he revealed.
The participating schools were drawn from Bakassi, Akpabuyo, Calabar Municipality, Calabar South, and Akamkpa. The Takents-Afrique Reservoir Foundation's annual initiative continues to blend health advocacy with athletic development, proving that sports can be a powerful tool for social awareness and youth empowerment.
