The city of Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, hosted the second edition of the Marathon Houet des Éditions Sidwaya on November 14, 2026, with over 2,400 participants. The event, co-organized with the commune of Bobo-Dioulasso, aimed to strengthen ties between the daily newspaper Sidwaya and its readers. The competition featured two distinct courses: the 10km route, open to regional elite runners, and the 21km semi-marathon, reserved for national elite runners.
The 21km semi-marathon saw a intense duel between Romain Nikièma and Roger Nignan, with Nikièma ultimately emerging victorious with a time of 1 hour, 12 minutes, and 49 seconds. Nikièma, an adjudant in the Eaux et Forêts, successfully defended his title from the previous year, beating his own record. Roger Nignan finished second with a time of 1 hour, 13 minutes, and 30 seconds.
In the women's category for the 21km semi-marathon, Marie Aude Saboué took the top spot, finishing 37th overall. Saboué, a native of the Bankui region, holds a degree in socio-anthropology from the University of Dédougou. The 10km route saw Abdoul Razak Sawadogo emerge victorious among men, completing the course in 36 minutes and 32 seconds.
The 10km women's category was won by 16-year-old Laurentine Lougué. The young athlete's performance was impressive, securing the top spot in her category. Akim Mohamed Traoré, an 11-year-old student, also garnered attention for his remarkable performance, despite being the youngest participant in the competition.
Organizers expressed satisfaction with the event's success, with over 2,400 participants, nearly double the number from the previous year. Directrice générale des Éditions Sidwaya, Assétou Badoh/Guiré, stated that the event's objectives were fully met, with plans already underway for an even larger edition in 2027.
The event was placed under the presidency of Annick Pikbougoum/Zingué Ouattara, Minister of Sports, Youth, and Employment, with Hugues Fabrice Zango, an Olympic medalist, serving as sports patron. The competition saw 40 athletes receive rewards, including motorcycles, financial prizes, and medals.
Minister of Communication, Culture, Arts, and Tourism, Pingdwendé Gilbert Ouédraogo, encouraged the youth to embody the values of integrity and progress, citing the numerous initiatives launched by President Ibrahim Traoré. The minister emphasized the importance of youth in driving the nation's revolution forward.
Key points
- Romain Nikièma won the 21km semi-marathon for the second consecutive year with a time of 1 hour, 12 minutes, and 49 seconds.
- The event saw over 2,400 participants, nearly double the number from the previous year.
- The competition featured two distinct courses: the 10km route and the 21km semi-marathon.
