The General Manager of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, Yussuf Alli, over the weekend revealed that the aim of the race is to encourage the culture of running because of its immense health benefits.
“People talk about and emphasize the importance of primary healthcare but regular running, exercise and good hygiene help prevent all forms of diseases including terminal ones, and prevention, we all agree, is better than cure, so our aim is to encourage a culture that will prevent sickness and diseases.”
Alli said the theme of the 2018 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon Expo slated for Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos from January 31 to February 9, 2018 is Wellness, Wellbeing and Healthy Living and a celebration of the Telecom Industry and its many contributions to our society.
“Our aim is to get about 50 percent of Lagosians and Nigerians to embrace the culture of running and exercise before our fifth anniversary. That is our target, it will be our legacy, that we encourage a culture that keeps millions of Nigerians alive and healthy.’’ Said Alli.
He said all participants in the marathons, both the full marathon and the 10 kilometres family run will pick up their race kits, which includes a running bib, timing tag, t-shirt, bag and other materials at the Expo.
Alli said there will be talks by experts for all visitors on how to exercise and run in ways that are not injurious to health.
In a bid to encourage the culture of running, Alli said school children and other categories of youths will be specially invited to the Expo.
Alli said it is sad that teenagers are today diagnosed with diabetes and other forms of preventable diseases,
“The introduction of Okada as a form of transportation finished us, now, some our young boys and girls, even school children, cannot walk for a kilometre. We need to re-educate our youths, this is what we intend to achieve with the 10 days Marathon Expo” said Alli.