The Nation Newspaper

Tag: 2017 Access Bank Lagos Marathon

  • Hoodlums attack 7UP officials, volunteers, steal marathoners’ refreshments

    Hoodlums on Saturday attacked officials of Seven Up Bottling Company, the official provider of refreshments for the 2nd Access Bank Lagos Marathon and some volunteers, carting away table water packs and refreshments for the marathoners.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the officials were defenceless at the Palmgroove end of the race along Ikorodu road, where they were stationed to hand over drinks to the marathoners.

    The hoodlums from the area overpowered the officials on duty and forced them to part with all the drinks on the stand at the point close to the Plamgroove Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) station.

    The Head of the Seven Up Bottling Company (SBC) team, who identified herself as Kike, said the hoodlums carted away about 500 cartons of drinks meant for the marathoners, while the police refused to help them.

    “The hoodlums took all our products packs, about 500, meant for the marathoners.

    “I asked for help from the policemen around when the hoodlums were approaching but they said that we should share the products.

    “So, when I could not succeed in persuading them, we stepped back.

    “The hoodlums were coming to carry the products in packs, so I said that we should be giving them only one since the policemen said that they won’t be able to chase anybody away.

    “Before I knew it, my colleague stationed at the Teslim Balogun Stadium came with the same report that the hoodlums had attacked them,’’ she told NAN.

    “We don’t have an idea that the police won’t protect us; they just told us that they are not here for Seven Up.

    “So, instead of allowing the hoodlums to steal our tents and destroy everything, we allowed them to go away with the products while we secure our assets.’’

    Kike said that the situation would have been brought under control if the policemen had chased away the hoodlums, adding that instead the policemen encouraged them to besiege us.

    “It was even the policemen on ground that asked me to settle the hoodlums that they are about to leave the point.

    “I told them to give me some minutes so that we sort our things out and also call for vehicle to move us away from the trouble spot, but instead, this is what we got,’’ she said.

    The Policemen on duty, however, debunked the claims of the Seven Up officials, saying that no officer could have given such order to share the
    drinks.

  • Marathon: Nigerians must compete with world’s best to improve — Udo-Obong

    Marathon: Nigerians must compete with world’s best to improve — Udo-Obong

    Enefiok Udo-Obong, a gold medalist at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, on Saturday said that Nigerian long distance runners competing with the world’s best would help to improve their skills.

    Udo-Obong made the assertion in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the National Stadium, Surulere, the starting point of the 2017 42km Access Bank Lagos City Marathon.

    “Apart from training and preparing to be a better athlete, you are expected to compete with others to evaluate yourself.

    “So, we must compete with the best to get better as far as long distance race is concerned and also participate in more competitions to increase our profile in long distance races.

    “Some people are always of the opinion that we have no business hosting Marathon because Nigerians are not marathoners but that is not true.

    “Competitions of this magnitude are good for our sports development, good for the host city and also good for tourism development,’’ he said.

    On the Lagos City Marathon, the gold medalist told NAN that there was a huge improvement in this year’s edition, commending the orgnisers for innovations.

    “The organisers did a great job this year, a lot of improvement and the event was better organised and I hope they will not relent in the subsequent editions.

    NAN reports that Abraham Kiptom of Kenya has won the international category of the 2nd Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, defending his title.

    Philip Sharabutu also defended the first Nigerian male title and Emmanuel Gyang came second in the Nigerian male category.

    The first place winner in the international category will receive 50,000 dollars, while the second place will get 40,000 dollars and third place 30,000 dollars.

    Also, the winner in the Nigerian category will get N1 million.

    The organisers had announced that their cash awards will be paid at the finish point at Eko Atlantic City.

  • Lagos Marathon: Routes Motorists should avoid

    Lagos Marathon: Routes Motorists should avoid

    route. Roads to  be closed on February 11 for the Access Bank Lagos  City Marathon 
    Alaka Road Service Lane 5:45 am  to 7:30am
    National Stadium to Ojuelegba Dormanlong Bridge, Onipnu Obanikoro and Anthony 6:45am-9am
    Third Mainland Bridge 7:15am-2pm
    Anthony Village to 0woronsoki 7:15am -9am
    Adekunle Junction linking Third Mainland Bridge 7:30am -2pm

  • Marathon:Some parts of Lagos to be shut down for 12hrs

    Marathon:Some parts of Lagos to be shut down for 12hrs

    The General Manager Access Bank Lagos City Marathon Yussuf Alli has said some parts of Lagos will be shut down for 12hrs for the Marathon race.
    Alli gave a detailed information on road closure on February 11, 2017 the date of the second edition of Access Bank Lagos City Marathon.

    Alli disclosed that for about twelve hours some part of Lagos will be shut down for the safety of thousands of runners, hundreds of thousands of cheering fans and millions of Lagosians.

    Alli urge residents of Ikeja and environ going to Victoria Island to go through Ikorodu Road, vehicles from Badagry, Mile 2, and environ going to Victoria Island to go through Apapa and Orile to link Eko Bridge to Victoria Island, while residents of Lagos Mainland, Surulere and environ are advised to avoid Masha Area and National Stadium but they can link Victoria Island through Iponri/Iganmu, Eko Bridge then to Victoria Island.

    Alli also said  Vehicles coming from Ibadan, Mowe and environ can link Victoria Island through Ojota, Ikorodu Road, Eko Bridge to Victoria Island, while vehicles from Okota go through Mile 2 to Orile , Eko Bridge to Victoria Island, those from Sango-Otta going to Victoria Island MUST go through Mushin, Funso Williams Avenue (Western Avenue), Eko Bridge to Victoria Island and vehicles coming from Epe, Ajah , Lekki and environ must use the Alternative Route to Victoria Island, lastly Ikoyi residents going to the Mainland can use Alfred Rewane (Kingsway Road) link Osborne to the Mainland.

    Alli said the following roads will be totally or partially closed.

    “the Third Mainland Bridge will be closed from 7.15 am to 2pm, Alaka Road Service late will be closed from 5.45 am to 7.30 am, National Stadium to Ojuelegba, Dormanlong Bridge, Onipanu, Obanikoro, and Anthony will be closed from 6.45am to 9 am, Antony Village to to Oworosoki will be closed from 7.15 am to 9 am, Adekunle Junction that links Third Mainland Bridge will be closed from 7.30 am to 2pm.’’.

    The General Manager said runners will start collecting their kits from February 1, 2017 at Molade Okoya Thomas Hall Teslim Balogun Stadium, “am also happy to inform our media partners that they can collect their accreditation forms at Marathon Office, Teslim Balogun Stadium, the deadline for collection and submission is February 6, and accreditation cards will be distributed February 9, 2017”.