The 10 kilomètres de Port-Gentil (also known as the 10KM POG[4]) is an annual road-based 10K run hosted by Port-Gentil, Gabon, since 2017.[4][5][1] The race is a World Athletics Elite Label Road Race.[6] During the race weekend, a competitive 3K race is also offered for runners between the ages of 12 and 15.[7]
| 10 km de Port-Gentil | |
|---|---|
| Date | June |
| Location | Port-Gentil, Gabon |
| Event type | Road |
| Distance | 10K |
| Established | 2017[1] |
| Course records |
|
| Official site | Official website |
| Participants | 7,140 (2018)[3] 5,446 (2017)[1] |
History
The inaugural race was held on 24 June 2017, and was started by President Ali Bongo Ondimba, who had travelled to Port-Gentil especially for the occasion.[1] A total of 5,446 people participated in the event, which was won by Kenyan runners Alex Korio and Ruth Chepng'etich, with finish times of 27:48 and 31:36, respectively.[8][1] Chepng'etich's performance was an African 10K all-comers record.[2]
In 2019, Kenyan runner Sheila Chelangat set a new African 10K all-comers record with a finish time of 30:55, beating Chepng'etich's 2017 record by 41 seconds.[2][a]
The 2020 edition of the race was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.[10] It was eventually held on 25 June 2022.[11]
Course
| External images | |
|---|---|
 Course map of 10K in 2019[12] | |
| Course map of 3K in 2022[7] |
The race is a clockwise loop that begins and ends on boulevard Léon Mba in front of the Foire Municipale.[12] Runners first head north from the start before running south along the coast on boulevard du Gouverneur Chavannes during the race's first half.[12] During the last few kilometres, the course eventually heads back up north via avenue de la Balise before turning onto boulevard Léon Mba for the finish.[12]
Winners
Key: Course record (in bold)
| Ed. | Date | Male Winner | Time | Female Winner | Time | Rf. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2017.06.24 |  Alex Korio (KEN) | 27:48 | Ruth Chepng'etich (KEN) | 31:36 | [8][1] |
| 2 | 2018.06.24 |  Maxwell Rotich (UGA) | 28:03 | Caroline Kipkirui (KEN) | 31:24 | [9][3] |
| 3 | 2019.06.30 | Abdallah Kibet Mande (UGA) | 27:35 | Sheila Chelangat (KEN) | 30:55 | [13][2] |
| — | — | postponed in 2020 and 2021 due to coronavirus pandemic | [10] | |||
| 4 | 2022.06.25 | Emmanuel Bor (KEN) | 27:50 |  Alemaz Samuel (ETH) | 31:51 | [14][15] |
| 5 | 2023.04.08 | Vincent Kipkemoi (KEN) | 28:11 | Beatrice Chepkoech (KEN) | 32:13 | [16] |
| 6 | 2024.06.23 | Peter Aila (KEN) | 28:32 | Loice Chemnung (KEN) | 30:40 | [17] |