New champions emerge as Chaingang MTB Festival lights up Mpape ridgelines
The fourth edition of the Chaingang MTB Festival, themed “Be Ya Gnu Abuja Pe (Let’s Go To The Abuja Mountains),” delivered a memorable day of endurance, rivalry and celebration as riders, runners and hikers took on the rugged hills of Mpape in the Federal Capital Territory.
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The demanding 42-kilometre men’s mountain bike race produced a dramatic сменание at the top, as Fanam Rumum dethroned the defending champion with a commanding performance, crossing the finish line in 1:43:00. Joel Berry Monday pushed hard in pursuit to finish second in 1:46:00, while former champion Emmanuel Ani battled back through the field to secure third place in 1:50:00.
Source: Twitter
The tough Mpape course, marked by steep single tracks, rocky shelves and fast, dusty descents, proved decisive. Organisers noted that the terrain rewarded riders with strong endurance, sharp technical skills and bold line choices.
Women’s podium delivers new winners
The women’s race produced a fresh podium, with the 2024 champion unable to repeat her success. Mary Sunday emerged victorious in 2:04:39, narrowly ahead of Sylvia Odom who finished in 2:05:10. Suzzie Angmun completed the top three with a close 2:05:50, underlining the growing competitiveness of women’s mountain biking on the Mpape hills.
Punishing trail run tests endurance
The festival’s 20-kilometre trail run was equally gruelling, with the route extended by seven kilometres compared with last year’s race. Coupled with temperatures soaring above 32°C, the conditions pushed athletes to their limits.
In the men’s category, Julius Kiv of Plateau State claimed the title after a gritty performance, followed by Ernest Oberechukwu in second place and Bomen Clement in third. The women’s race saw Barbara Kirsch take the top spot, with Mercy Markus — the only returning podium finisher from 2024 — finishing second, while Kudyo Natuwa placed third.
Festival atmosphere and safety focus
At the bustling finish area of Mpape Crushed Rocks, the atmosphere was electric as live music, local vendors and community leaders added colour to the celebration. Exhausted athletes shared stories of their races, recovered with teammates and soaked in the festive mood.
Organisers placed strong emphasis on safety throughout the event. Pre-race briefings, marshals stationed on technical sections, hydration points every two kilometres on the running route and medical teams on standby helped ensure smooth operations despite the extreme conditions.
The Chaingang MTB Festival continues to grow as one of Abuja’s marquee outdoor sporting events, combining elite competition with community engagement and showcasing the raw beauty and difficulty of the capital’s mountain terrain.
Source: Legit.ng
