Over 20 elite athletes from over 10 countries have indicated interest in the upcoming Access Bank Lagos City Marathon scheduled to take place on Saturday February 6th, 2016. They include IAFF Gold label runners; Abraham Kiptom, Peter Kiptoo Kiplagat, Amos Mitel, Simpson Pkanaan Limareng, Nelson Kirwa Rotich, Kipkemboi Hosea and Ali Abdosh Muhammed.
The women are not left out with the likes of Alice Tim- Bilil and Leah Jebet Kiprono both Gold label women marathoners, who will be in Lagos to dig for the top prize worth $50, 000. Also, elite athletes from the nooks and crannies of Nigeria such as Deborah Pam, Emmanuel Gyang and Adeyemi Kazeem will battle it out for the ultimate prize of N1 million each for the first Nigerian man and woman to cross the line.
The marathon which is in collaboration with the Confederation of African Athletics, CAA, is the first of many activities from the Lagos State Sports Commission.
According to the Chairman of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Mr. Ayodeji Tinubu, “Lagos is ready to host this event and its various participants, in line with international rules. The relevant agencies are already carrying out the necessary test run on the marathon route, all the water points, security points, medical points, everything has been noted and various agencies have also visited.
“We have reached out to the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Information, Ministry of Environment, Road Safety Corps, Ministry of Transportation, Tourism, Local Government, Lagos State Signs and Advertising Agency, the Nigeria Police, and I am happy to say that every single one of them have committed to making the marathon a huge success. The Ministry of Transportation had a drive test-run of the marathon route, also LASTMA agents were involved for an appraisal of traffic management and control of traffic during and after the marathon,” Tinubu said.
For fitness buffs who are interested in participating in this 42 kilometer marathon which will kick-off at the National Stadium to Gbagada express, up into 3rd mainland, through to Ikoyi and the Ikoyi Link Bridge into Lekki, onto Ozumba, Lekki toll, turn into Akin Adesola, then Bishop Oluwole and then round to Eko Atlantic City. You can visit the website www.lagoscitymarathon.com to register or pick up a form from Teslim Balogun Stadium, National Stadium, Onikan Stadium, Agege Stadium as well as Rowe Park Sports complex.
