In its determination of becoming the first full marathon in Nigeria to have an elite field that will run a sub 2hrs: 10 mins, the Abuja International Marathon (AIM)has signed more elite runners for its inaugural race slated for December 17, 2022.
In a statement signed by Race Director Olukayode Thomas, the AIM Managing Director Zsuzsanna Ogunmiloyo disclosed that the December 17 race will also include a 10 km fun race apart from the full marathon which will start at the City Gate and take runners through the most beautiful parts of Abuja and the 5km race for youths and children in their early teens.
The newly signed elite runners, according to Ogunmiloyo, are Emmanuel Naibei with a personal best of 2:08:27, Josphat Kiprop Kiptiswith a personal best of 2:13:47 and Benard Sangwith a personal best of 2:10:59 as well as two women Beatrice Cherop with a personal best of 2:31:07and Esther Macharia with a personal best of 2:27:15
Earlier, Ogunmiloyo confirmed the signing of four gold labelled runners: two men and two women they are Andrew Kimtai, who boasts a personal best of 2:08 32. Gilbert Masai, with a personal best of 2:09:49 as well as two women runners, Caroline Jepchirchir with a personal best of 2:26 and Naomi Maiyo with a personal best of 2:30.
Ogunmiloyo who was in Birmingham for the 2022 Commonwealth Games to support the Team Nigeria contingent, said discussions are ongoing with some Nigeria elite athletes who won medals and global acclaim at the Commonwealth Games, to be part of the Abuja International Marathon.
‘’ The weeks leading to the Abuja International Marathon will be a celebration of the best of Nigeria sports,” she said.“ Apart from the Marathon Expo which starts December 1 and ends December 16, we have so many other activities which include elite athletes from Nigeria and other parts of the world organizing clinics for pupils from schools in different parts of FCT.
“We are going to celebrate the best of FCT and a lot of positives about Nigeria.’’
About 200 elite runners will participate in the Abuja International, 80 from different parts of the world and 120 from Nigeria,
‘’ We are working closely with the High Altitude Club of Jos and other elite running clubs in Nigeria. Our aim is to see Nigerians excel in middle distance races, long distance, road races, marathons, and other aspects of athletics not only in Nigeria but worldwide. We have the to achieve and the dream of Unicentral Resources Generation Limited, the licensee of Abuja International Marathon, is ensuring we achieved that potential soon’’ said Ogunmiloyo.