A simple but efficient form of exercise, running can easily be embraced by different classes of people as all that is needed is just a place to run. In this report, Joe Agbro Jr, writes on why runners in many Nigerian cities should plan well for their own safety before hitting the roads.
When Dimgba Igwe, the late vice chairman of The Sun newspapers set out in the early hours of Saturday, September 6, to jog, he must have had other plans for the day. However, a hit-and-run driver cut short many of those plans. And the man who left his house with both legs was taken back in as a dead man. He was a victim of death as he jogged in his neighbourhood in a bid to exercise .Like Igwe unfortunately found out, jogging on some Nigerian roads can have very unpleasant endings.
Running is a cheap exercise which can be easily embraced. According to runnersworld.co.uk, running is good for the body as it keeps blood pressure in check and boosts HDL, the good form of cholesterol. Running shoes, shirt and shorts and space to run are all that is needed. But in Nigeria, many spaces are either not conducive for running or are not safe. Other than places like the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, many cities in the country are not planned for activities like running.
According to Oke Omo-Igbedi, an avid runner, there is no running culture in Nigeria which probably accounts for some inherent dangers.
“Cars can knock you down on a busy route or you can be mugged on a lonely trail,” said Omo-Igbedi who runs a minimum of thrice weekly, logging five kilometres on weekdays and 10 kilometres on weekends.
“I run within my estate. It’s secured and has excellent road layout. Once in a month I do monthly run with Truppr or other group run and this is on the roads.”
Truppr.com, founded in 2014, is a website that connects people interested in physical activities together. Cycling, dancing, and of course, running are some of the events featured. So far, Truppr has planned runs in places like Lagos, Ibadan and Abeokuta. The runs also have arranged security provided by police or man o war officials. Other similar running groups exist or can be formed.
“Usually the races are well organised. The route is defined and there are guides along the route,” Omo-Igbedi said of his Truppr experience. “When I run in Europe you will see several people doing solo on the same route. So, it’s still like a group thing. There is security in numbers. Even in Paris I don’t run in the parks solo at very early hours.”
Adegboyega Alugbin, a keen runner who resides in Abule-Egba summarises what he said are his fears about running on the roads.
“If it’s early before sunrise, you’re prone to being robbed or stopped by the police,” he said. “If it later during the day, you have to watch out for traffic.”
However, according to Coach Tunde Sulaimon, an ex-jumper and a Lagos State jump coach, for professional runners, especially distance runners, it is normal to run on the roads. “They need to accumulate some mileage in a week,” he said. “And that is the problem we are having in the country hat most of our athletes are running below the standard. If you see any of our athletes running on the road, it’s a kind of encouraging them and make sure that they get enough mileage so that they can cover at least 80 miles in a week. If they run up to 80 miles in a week, we will be able to level up with the Kenyans and Ethiopians.”
Recognising the dangers of the road, however, he said, “the only thing is that we have to enlighten our motorists to let them know that they should be careful with people running on the road.”
“Armed robbers cannot disturb people on the road because they would be running during the daytime. Around 5am, most especially in Lagos, there are a lot of motorists on the road and everybody would like to get to their work on time. So, meeting people on the road is a kind of encouragement. But since our country is such a way, we just need to tell our runners to delay their coming out to around six am so that they can get their mileage. And people on the main road would know that these are people that have a mission and they can elevate the country and take the country up.”
“Runners should wear something flashy, a reflective cloth on their body so that if a vehicle is coming, they can know that someone is running in their front. If they can start putting it on, it would be of help to them.”
With increasing poverty, crime tends to be a huge factor that dissuades many fitness buffs in some densely populated areas like Agege, Mushin, Ajegunle, Ejigbo, and some parts of Lagos Island from pounding the asphalts.
And for those who cannot hit the roads, they might consider running in secured places like estates or on treadmills which most gyms have. That is the case of Myra Edobor, a model. She joined a gym two years ago and said that since then, her running routine has become more efficient.
“During the rains, I used to hate running on the roads where motorists can splash water on me or when it is very cold outside,” she said. “At those times, I’m happy that I can always go to my gym and still run.”
Another coach, a boxing instructor, Yinka Adeyeye, as part of his training regime makes his trainees run laps around the football field at Ladoje Primary School, Agege, in Lagos. To him, that is so that he can monitor their progress and fitness. Apart from the boxers, other individuals also run around the school compound. But he advocates that joggers on the road must be vigilant.
“You have to be alert anytime you are on the road,” he said. “Even if you are listening to music, stay focus on the road and observe your environment.”
While in Igwe’s case, it was a car that knocked him down, it was a different matter for Ngozi, a lawyer based in Umuahia. Used to setting out early for her morning job, Ngozi was attacked by a destitute man. Whether it was to rob or rape, she does not know. But according to her, she succeeded in defending herself by kicking the man in the groin.
No doubt, dangers exist when it comes to running on the roads. Yet this does not completely stop runners from doing their stuff.
Mornings on weekends at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos is a beehive with many Lagosians engaging in various sports and exercises, chief amongst which is running. Hordes of individuals jog on different paths while a large chunk run around the main bowl. There, some corporate bodies also organise runs staff. No doubt, the running is getting more popular in this clime but no matter where one runs, the rule is to ensure safety.
