Sindou – Inoussa Simporé emerged as the winner of the first-ever Sindou Peaks Peace Half-Marathon on November 18, 2023. He completed the challenging 21.1 km track in Léraba, outpacing 115 other runners, to clinch the top spot.
According to Burkina Information Agency, The Sindou Peaks Peace Half-Marathon, initiated by the provincial sports and leisure directorate of Léraba, was organized to promote peace and social cohesion through sport and culture. Held on Saturday, November 18, 2023, the event saw participation from both professional and amateur athletes, including 110 male and 6 female runners. The course spanned 21.1 km, stretching from the base of the Sindou peaks to the Niofila dam, through the town of Sindou, and culminating at the peak’s summit.
Simporé, hailing from Ouagadougou, secured the first position with a time of 1 hour, 12 minutes, and 41 seconds. Florence Kinda, also from Ouagadougou, was the first female finisher, completing the race in 1 hour, 37 minutes, and 30 seconds. Simporé described the race as particularly challenging due to the track’s numerous slopes.
Prizes for the winners included a trophy, a sum of 300,000 CFA francs, and a kit from the general director of the Conseil Burkinabè des Chargeurs, who also sponsored the event. Dr. Kassoum Traoré, the event’s patron, added extra cash prizes for the top performers.
The event was lauded by the Minister of State and Minister of National Defense and Veterans for its role in fostering peace and social cohesion. The week-long activities included a conference, a cycling competition, a board game competition, and a special operation for patriotic support fundraising. Additionally, internally displaced persons received significant food aid, and ONASER conducted awareness sessions on road safety in Douna and Sindou.
The successful organization of the event was supported by various entities including ONASER, CBC, SONAGESS, SN-SOSUCO, WIFAMA, Éditions SIDWAYA, RAHIMO transport, and the MAKANISSO hostel in Sindou.