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Tag: 2018 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon

Access Bank/Lagos City Marathon: Participants defy early morning downpour

Participants at the Access Bank/Lagos City Marathon Saturday defied an early morning rain to run in the 42km race which started at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the rain which started at about 5 a.m. did not hinder participants who turnout in their thousand to participate.

Our reporter who was at the starting point reports that participants were seen walking to the National Stadium.

Kareem Areola, 18, said the rain was not a hindrance to him.

“As you can see, a lot of people are under the rain enjoying themselves and I am also doing the same,’’ he said.

A student, Margaret Chime, 32, said that the rain was not heavy enough to dissuade participants.

“The turnout is impressive in spite of the rain because a lot of people are determined to participate,’’ he said.

Another student, Jimoh Ajibade, 14, said there was no way he could have missed the race because of the rain.

“I was here last year and I enjoyed myself and there is no way I would have missed it this year, so that is why I am here,’’ he said.

NAN reports that over 100,000 people participated in the IAAF Bronze Label Race which offers 208,000 dollars for grabs.

February 10, 2018
Access Bank Lagos City Marathon: Media Accreditation Begins Today

The process of accreditation for media practitioners getting set to cover the 2018 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon will officially begin on Tuesday, January 9.

The Head of Communication and Media for the marathon, Olukayode Thomas, said that the process of accreditation would be done strictly online instead of the traditional method adopted for the first two editions of the competition.

“The portal for the media accreditation will go live on Tuesday,” he said.

“Interested journalists should visit the official marathon website; lagoscitymarathon.com and go to the media accreditation section to fill the form with their current photographs”

“It is very important for all journalists that want to be part of the race to get accredited,” Thomas advised.

The Head of Communication and Media for the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon revealed that the process of accreditation would end on February 2.

“There will be no last-minute registrations or extension of dates, we want everybody to comply as quick as possible,” he said.

Meanwhile, as part of the innovations for the 2018 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, the organizers have concluded arrangements to have a training session for all the accredited journalists.

Thomas explained that the training session would among other things keep journalists abreast with the latest models of marathon coverage and reportage.

“Marathon reporting is not too common in this part of the world, so we will be bringing in experts from the IAAF, CAA and across the world to help train our journalists in this aspect of reporting,” he said.

Tags, media kits and other specific items for the media will be collected during the training.

“The media have been an important part of this project and we hope to continue our smooth relationship,” Thomas stressed.

The 2018 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon is billed to take place on February 10, 2018.

January 9, 2018
Gyang Eyes Commonwealth ticket, GAC Car in 10km race

One of the foremost long distant runners in the country, Emmanuel Gyang has set out a twin ambition ahead of the 2018 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon.

Gyang who was among the top Nigerian finishers at the 2017 Marathon said on Monday that he would be competing for honours this time in the newly introduced 10km race.

The Jos-based athlete who has won several accolades on the home front said he hopes to secure qualification for the Commonwealth Games through his participation in the Lagos Marathon and also win the star prize of a saloon car donated by GAC Motors.

“I have already started preparations earnestly and I thank God things are going well so far so good,” Gyan stated after another rigorous training session on Monday

“However, this year, I want to run the 10km because I want to use it as my final preparations; after the Lagos Marathon there will be national trials like three days after in Uyo and I am keen to make it to the Commonwealth Games.” He added.

Gyang who represented Nigeria at the 2010 Youth Olympics in Singapore is yet to represent the country at any international senior meet; hence he is hoping he will get a chance at the 2018 Commonwealth Games to be staged in the Gold Coast.

“I have been training harder compared to last year and I am happy that my time is improving daily. I know it won’t be easy in Lagos but withgy hard work and prayers, I would excel.” Gyan affirmed.

With over 100,000 athletes expected from different countries, the third edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon will hold on February 10th, 2018.

Only recently, the IAAF awarded the Lagos Marathon a “bronze label” and organizers are hoping for a Gold Label before 2020.

December 18, 2017
ACCESS BANK LAGOS CITY MARATHON:Car prize ignites prep for 10 km race

There are indications that winners of the men and women 10 km race, to be introduced in the 2018 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, will smile home with brand new cars, courtesy of the race’s Official Automobile Partner, GAC Motor.

This has made thousands of runners double their preparations for the 10km race of the next edition of the Marathon slated for February 10, 2018.

Sonia Audu has done a couple of marathons and half marathons but she has started training for speed because she wants to win a car from GAC Motor.

“My cousin works in the company and she told me they are giving away two cars to Nigerian men and women winners of the 10 km race. I have seen the cars, they are beautiful, and I will love to drive them. In fact, I have changed my training. Before, I trained for endurance because I want to finish 42km but now, I am training for speed because you need to run fast to win the 10k. The world best time for women is about 30 minutes but that is by a Kenyan. If I can run 40 minutes, I know I will win the car and I thank God Kenyans and other foreigners will not be allowed to run the 10km, ‘’ Audu said.

Many other runners, especially national runners of 10,000m event are all training for the 10km race. Fun runners are not left out as they all dream of winning the cars from GAC Motor.

A survey from different parts of the country shows that thousands of Nigerians, from professional runners to fun runners, are interested in the 10km event. Organizers of the marathon will have to work hard on logistics as there could be over 100,000 participants in the 10km race alone. The first two editions of the marathon, limited to just the 42km elite race, had over 50,000 participants in 2016 and over 70,000 participants in 2017 during the second edition.

When contacted, Olukayode Thomas will neither confirmed nor denied the claim that GAC Motor will give the 10km winners cars or whether there will be a 10km race in the 2018 edition.

“What I can say for now is that in the next few days, we shall convene a press conference where the plans for the 2018 edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon will be unveiled,’’ Thomas said.

October 29, 2017