Winners in the various categories of the historic MTN People Police Marathon, held in Abuja on Saturday, July 26, 2008, have commended MTN for consistently putting smiles on the faces of Nigerians. The commendations were made after the race in which well over 30, 000 Nigerians, from all the states of the federation, participated.

The first place winner in the 21 km elite race, Stephen Jurbe, a 27 year old Kaduna born athlete of the Number One Division, Nigerian Army, expressed gratitude to MTN for having given him and his entire family a new lease of life. Jurbe, who hit the terminal ribbon in a record time of 1: 08: 17, won the star prize of $10, 000 for the 21km category. Speaking shortly after the prize presentation, he said, "I am from a very poor family; the third child in a family of eleven children. I am dedicating my winning to my family. With it, I will build a house where my family will live. Thank God for MTN. The company is a specialist in helping people to fulfill their dreams and aspirations." Jurbe also expressed delight in seeing Nigerians joining forces with the police to control crime in an atmosphere of fun, friendship and uninhibited love.

Danjuma Gyang, a 26-year old SS1 student from Plateau finished in a record time of 1: 10: 01 to emerge as the second place winner in the 21km elite race, carting away a whopping sum of $7, 500. With his face radiating joy and blessedness, Gyang said that his winnings will be channeled towards furthering his education to tertiary level. According to him, his vision of becoming a medical doctor has come within the range of reality, thanks to the MTN People Police Marathon. Interestingly, Gyang's younger brother, Emmanuel Gyang, aged 17, topped the list of winners in the 10 km mass race, smiling home with a brand new Kia Rio. Emmanuel revealed that getting the money with which he paid his way to Abuja to take part in the race was an uphill task, as his family could not afford the fare. "I am the happiest person in the world today. I am happy for what MTN, Dana Motors and others have done for me," he said

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