4th April, 2016
Nigeria’s Philibus Sharubutu has finished in the top group at the Schneider Electric – sponsored Paris Marathon 2016, which took place on Sunday, April 3.
Sharubutu, who was sponsored to the race by Schneider Electric, clocked 2 hours 32 seconds, just 25 minutes behind the eventual winner, Cyprian Kotut of Kenya. By virtue of his performance, Sharubutu ranked in the top 40 out of over 50,000 runners who participated in the annual race.
Commenting on Sharubutu’s performance, Anne Ezeh, the Field Marketing & Access to Energy Director, Schneider Electric Nigeria said, “As a sponsor, Schneider Electric is excited by the performance of Philibus who donned the Nigerian colours at the race. We are confident that he has gained valuable experience which will enhance his performance in future competitions. We are also optimistic that this performance will encourage more Nigerians to participate in long distance races’.
Ezeh stated that Schneider Electric also sponsored Dinnatu Yohanna to the Paris Marathon as a demonstration of the company’s support for the development of indigenous talent in Nigeria.
“We are a global brand but local in our relationship with our community and stakeholders. This sponsorship is another demonstration of our commitment to the development of indigenous capacity across the sectors where we operate in Nigeria”.
An elated Sharubutu expressed gratitude to Schneider Electric for the opportunity to participate in his first international marathon race.
“I thank Schneider Electric for this privilege to participate in the Paris Marathon as Nigeria’s sole male representative. After my selection to take part in the race, I promised Nigerians and Schneider Electric that I will not disappoint them. Finishing in the top 40 out of 50,000 marathoners who participated in the race is enough motivation to aspire higher,” he said.
He then laid out his plans for the future. “I will continue to train harder in order to contend with the best in the world in future competitions. I encourage other corporate bodies in Nigeria to emulate Schneider Electric’s gesture in order to support the growth of our local athletes”.
It will be recalled that Philibus Sharubutu and Dinnatu Yohanna were selected for participation in the Paris Marathon by Schneider Electric following their stellar performance in the recently held Lagos City Marathon.