Cross River commissioner for information and also media director for the Obudu Mountain Race, Patrick Ugbe stated that the new race course for this year’s edition is ready for inspection by technical officials from the World Mountain Running Association (WMRA).

Mr. Ugbe, said that the purpose of the inspection was to ensure that the new course complies with the regulations set by the international governing body for countries aspiring to host the prestigious WMRA world mountain running championships.

‘The WMRA has told the local organising committee headed by Sir William Archibong that its officials will come for an inspection of the new course we are mapping out for the 7th edition of the Obudu international mountain race and the third African nations mountain running championships,” said Ugbe.

‘The LOC has been told that the course must not contain any dangerous sections and that it must be marked throughout, such that complete strangers to the courses can follow without difficulty. You know mountain races take place across country which is mainly off-road and involves considerable amounts of ascent for mainly uphill races like we have in Obudu.”

Ugbe added that the LOC was ready meet all the requirements contained in the technical regulations for hosting the biggest championships in the calendar of the WMRA.

“His Excellency,Governor Liyel Imoke made it clear to the president of the WMRA, Bruno Gozzelino that Obudu Ranch Resort is ready to host the world come 2014 and has charged the LOC to liase with the WMRA on what is needed to be done to ensure the 30th edition of the championships is hosted by Nigeria.”