Lagos marathon takes off with 100,000 athletes

A total of 100, 000 athletes from 27 countries including Nigeria will be participating in the Access Bank Lagos Marathon billed to hold on February 11, 2017.

According to reports 64 elite athletes from 26 countries and 102 from Nigeria, as well as 30 special athletes will also be participating in the second edition of the City marathon.

The exercise which is scheduled to start 7am to 2pm will see participants run from the National Stadium in Surulere to terminate at Eko Atlantic City in Victoria Island.

While addressing a world press conference on Friday at Eko Hotels, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Sports and Chairman of Lagos State Sports Commission, Mr Deji Tinubu, said adequate preparations have been put in place to ensure a successful event, assuring that the marathon had been designed to be bigger and better than the previous edition.

He also said that the event was meant to showcase the excellence of Lagos to the world as well as encourage sporting activities among the people.

“We want to show the world that Lagos can be and Lagos can do what it is expected of it as a mega city; we want to show to the world the tourism potentials of Lagos; we want to show to the world that Lagos is safe; we want to show to the world that Lagos can be the choice destination for sports, tourism and entertainment and that is why we are doing this,” he said.

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Ambode appreciated all the sponsors that partnered with the State, and said it was gratifying to note that many of the participating athletes have picked up their running kits, while top notch security and logistics arrangement have been put in place.

He also said that the Sole Administrators of the Local Government Areas of the routes of the marathon have also been adequately mobilized, while arrangement for entertainment and fun packs have also been perfected for those not participating in the marathon.

Explaining how the Marathon came into being, Project Consultant, Mr Bukola Olopade said Governor Ambode deserved to be commended for his sportsmanship that made it easy for the maiden event to be possible having given approval after presentation on the event.

 

 

 

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