The World Mountain Running Association, WMRA, has upgraded the status of the Obudu international mountain race from a mere associate member race  to one of its premium events for this year.

The Obudu international mountain race made its debut as a WMRA  associate member race in 2005  but it has grown to become one of the eagerly anticipated races in the world of mountain running.

The race which also incorporates the African Mountain Running Championships is now listed among the major races in the calendar of the WMRA.

‘We are really delighted that the Obudu international mountain race has continued to be accorded the rightful status it deserves,’says Patrick Ugbe,a member of the local organising committee for the race and the Honourable Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development in CrossRiverState.

Ugbe revealed that the Obudu international mountain race has always received the backing of the governing body for the sport.

`We have always enjoyed the physical presence of the WMRA president at the race since the inauguaral edition in 2005.

We had the late president,Danny Hughes with us for the first four or five editions before his demise. Bruno Gozzelino who took over from him has also been a huge part of our race.

This shows how important the event is to the world mountain running family,’he further said,adding that the LOC will continue to organise a world class event in line with the directive of His Excellency,senator Liyel Imoke,the executive governor of Cross River state.

This year’s race will hold on Saturday November 23 at the Obudu ranch resort in Obudu and will be flagged off by Governor Imoke. It is listed as the final major race of the year on the website of the WMRA.