Lagos — Rita Jeptoo Sitienei, the Nandi born Kenyan road racer has become the latest top ranked international athlete to signify her intention to challenge Obudu Mountain race defending women champion, Ethiopia's Rehima Kedir for the USD 50,000 top prize at the third edition of the race next month at the Obudu Ranch Resort,Obudu in Cross River State.

She thus joined inaugural winner of the race,Czech Republic's Anna Pitrchova as one of the main contenders for the title and the accompanying cash prize.

Sitienei emerged the winner last March at the famous Lisbon International Half Marathon competition and she is desirous of making her debut at the third Obudu Mountain race on Saturday November 24.

In addition to winning the Lisbon Half Marathon, she also retained her 10km title at the Jakarta International 10km race in Jakarta, Indonesia last June.

Under the stable of world renowned athletes agent and manager, Italian Gianni Demadoni, Stienei will be hoping to become the second Kenyan after Francis Kibwott to win the top prize at the Obudu Mountain race. Kibwott won the men's race last year in his first attempt.

Other athletes from the stable of Demadoni who have written to participate in the Obudu Race includes 2nd IAAF World Half-Marathon silver medallist, Mary Keitany and IAAF World Cross Country silver medallist at the 35th edition in Mombassa, Kenya last March, Moses Mosop, both from Kenya.

The Obudu International Mountain race is the highest paying mountain race in the world and has been accorded a permit status by both the world governing body for the event, WMRA as well as its parent body, the IAAF. Athletes can score point towards the final determination of the overall Grand Prix standing.