Over 80, 000 athletes from 27 countries including Nigeria are participating in the second edition of Access Bank sponsored Lagos Marathon that kicked off at National Stadium on Staurday.
Also, 64 elite athletes from 26 countries and 102 from Nigeria, as well as 30 special athletes will also be participating in the marathon scheduled to start from National Stadium in Surulere and terminate at Eko Atlantic City in Victoria Island.
The star prize is $50,000 for the winner, while the first Nigerian runner will get N1 million.
Addressing a world press conference on Friday at Eko Hotels and Suites, Deji Tinubu, who. Represented Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, 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.
Tinubu who is Ambode’s special adviser on sports addressed the briefing alongside President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Mr Solomon Ogba; Acting President of International Association of Ultra runners, Mr Nadeem Khan; representatives of International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), and representatives of the sponsors of the event.
He said all the agencies of government participating in the event have been adequately mobilized, saying that Lagosians should expect the best.
He said 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.”
While appreciating all the sponsors that partnered with the State Government, Governor Ambode, through his proxy 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.
