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Tag: Access Bank Lagos City Marathon

Access Bank Lagos City Marathon: Organisers reaffirmed readiness for 2019 edition

Everything seems to be in place for the staging of the 2019 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon this Saturday, February 2, in Lagos.

According to the General Manager of the race, Yusuf Ali, all logistics and plans have been perfected to ensure a hitch-free event this year as more than 4000 foreign athletes from 58 countries are expected this year while 2000 of them are from North America.

Ali, who spoke at the media seminar organized to acquaint journalists with the basics rules of the tournament said some of the top athletes are expected in the country from tomorrow as plans are in top gear to stage a befitting competition this year.

“We are aware that this is media event and we want our media partners to also be familiar with the rules of covering marathon. We will ensure we give them the necessary support to carry out their duties during the event but we also want them to know the basics rules particularly as it concerns the starting and finishing lines,” he said.

For the initiator of the race, Bukonla Olopade, the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon would continue to grow in leaps and bounds as the organizers are also willing to learn from other world-class marathons across the world.

Olopade admitted the hitches that characterized the previous editions while assuring that this year hopes to be an improvement to their previous ones.

“We want to continue to get better and the only way we can get better is to take a cue from top class marathons like the New York and Dubai Marathons where we were recently to understudy them. We are hopeful that we will get better this year and ready to correct some of our mistakes as the tournament continues to grow,” he added.

In his remarks, the Presidential Candidate of African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, described marathon as a revenue earner for a nation while clamouring for political backing for marathon to help it grow.

January 28, 2019
Ambode promises increase in prize money, charges athletes to improve

Lagos Governor, Akinwumi Ambode has said that annual Access Bank Lagos City Marathon can get better with Nigerian athletes improving in their performances.

Speaking at the 2018 edition of the race today, the governor promised that there will be an increase in the 10km race prize money, to encourage indigenous athletes.

“For the 10 Km race which is indigenous, we will try to increase the price money to encourage our athletes, they deserve more appreciation.

The governor further hinted on his plans to overthrow the Kenyan marathoners for the ultimate prize money. He said “Within two years, we will see how we can dislodge the Kenyan marathoners. We will employ international coaches that will train Lagos athletes in Jos. By this time next year, we will make them to sweat for the cash price which we hope to improve upon next year by God’s grace.

Read Also: Ambode hailed over road

The winner of the men’s race Abraham Kiprotich, speaking after winning the race, said that consistency was his watch word while preparing for the marathon.

Kiprotich won the 42km race in 2:13:04, while his compatriot, Kiboss Ronny came second with the time of 2:13:26.

Victor Benjamin completed the Kenyan domination coming in the third position with the time of 2:13:29.

For the females, Ayelu Hordofa from Kenya emerged first with a time of 2:35:17, while compatriots Herma Guta came second with 2:38:25 and Girma Getachew third with 2:38:36.

In the indigenous category, Ilya Pam won for the second time running while his closet rival and 2016 maiden edition winner Sharabutu Philibus came second. Williams Kefas, however, came third in the long distance race.

Over 100,000 runners participated in the 3rd Access Bank Lagos City Marathon that offered 208,000 dolars.

February 10, 2018
IAAF’s Head of Marathons hits Lagos for event

The IAAF head of marathons and road races, Alessio Punzi will be in Lagos for the third edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon slated for February 10, 2018.

As the manager of road running at IAAF, Punzi, is in charge of hundreds of elite marathons and road races around the world.

In an email sent to Yussuf Alli, General Manager Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, Punzi said,

“I shall be happy to be with you all at the Access Bank Lagos Marathon on February 10, 2018.

“I will act as IAAF observer, therefore, we are not appointing a technical delegate; I will carry this out personally. I will love to go on a route tour a day before the race with the elite athletes, and also be a part of the elites’ technical meeting, gear check and meeting with other personnel.

“I am looking forward to meeting representatives from Lagos State, AFN, and sponsors to thank them on behalf of the IAAF for their support for the event. Though my role is mainly technical, I will love to participate in awards ceremonies and the likes.’’

Alli said it was an excellent development that the head of marathons and road races in IAAF would be in Lagos for the race.

“The head of marathons and road races rarely attends marathons. What he normally does is to send a technical delegate but for Punzi to be coming personally to Lagos, I guess it might not be unconnected with Norrie Williamson’s recommendation that our route is good for the IAAF World Challenge.

“If that is the reason, that will be a good one for Lagos and Nigeria. It will help the local hospitality industry, tourism, and trade. It will also bring the who is who in global athletics and media to Nigeria.’’ Alli noted.

December 20, 2017
MARATHON: Why elite runners are always in front cells-Alli

The General Manager of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon Yussuf Alli has clarified why some runners are placed in the front cell in

marathons and road races. Alli said athletes’ pedigree and time in previous races determine where they are placed.

“Insinuation that Kenyans, Ethiopians and other foreign nationals are favoured at the detriment of Nigerians is completely untrue. The front cell, which is for elite men and women runners are normally reserved for athletes who have done below 2 hours, 45 minutes, 00seconds.

“These are the people that are likely to win, they are not just foreigners, and they also include Nigerians. At the 2016 and 2017 editions, we had over 100 elite athletes from Nigeria, and for the 2018 edition, we are likely to have over 200 elite athletes from

Nigeria’’. Said Alli. The General Manager said it is equally false that Nigerians cannot win the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon or any other marathon in any parts of the world, “East African runners are not better than Nigerians, the only difference is that they train harder and work harder.

Running for them is business and they sacrifice everything to be the best in the world, our people must also imbibe this culture.”

Alli posited that the reason why we are not doing well today is because we are not investing in our talents, “the time that won the men race in the 2016 and 2017 editions of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon was about 2hours, 15 minutes. About 30 years ago, a Nigerian marathoner Abass Muhammad was running that time. We also have other great runners who were running world class times but our refusal to invest in our talented athletes is responsible for the current decline.

European, Americans, Japanese and even the Chinese have proved that the East African runners are beatable as they have beaten them in many of the world elite marathons’’ Alli concluded.

December 12, 2017
Access Bank Lagos City Marathon eyes healthy living among Nigerians

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.

November 26, 2017
Access Bank Lagos City Marathon: Over 50,000 collect forms

The 2018 edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon looks set to beat the attendance record of the 2016 and 2017 editions as over 50,000 runners have signified their intention to compete in the race slated for February 10, 2018, by collecting the race forms.

In 2016, over 50, 0000 runners participated while 73,000 competed in the 2017 edition; organizers are anticipating between 100,000 to 120,000 runners for the 2018 edition.

There are many new attractions making thousands throng the Teslim Balogun Stadium Marathon Office and Access Bank branches nationwide to collect forms for this edition.

The marathon route has been certified by athletics and road races governing body IAAF/AIMS. The route was certified by Norris Williamson, a grade A measurer, who measured the marathon route for the Atlanta, Athens and Beijing Olympic games and several other marathons and road races.

The Access Bank Lagos City Marathon is now an IAAF Bronze Labelled Road Race, therefore, any athlete who competes in the race and returns a world-class time becomes a Bronze Label runner.

Apart from the above, the prize money for Nigerian participants in the race has received a remarkable boost.

While they have the opportunity to win the general prize money with other nationals, there is the exclusive Nigerian winner prize money, which is now increased to N3 million from N1 million.

The race Official Automobile Partner is also giving away two cars, to the first male and female Nigeria runners to cross the finish line, in the 10-kilometre race.

General Manager of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, Yusuf Alli clarifies that Nigeria in the 10-kilometer race refers to all residents of Nigeria.

“A British, Chinese, Egyptian or another other national of the over two hundred countries in the world who live in Nigeria, work and pay tax in Nigeria is eligible to win the cars like any other Nigerian but foreigners or Nigerians resident abroad who came just for the marathon are not eligible, it’s strictly for Nigerian residents.’’ He said.

November 19, 2017
Access Bank Lagos City Marathon: Organisers confirm car prizes for new 10km race

The organisers of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon has officially confirmed the introduction of 10km race during next year’s edition of the event.

Two cars donated by GAC Motors have also been confirmed as the top prizes up for grabs by the winners of the Men’s and Women’s 10km races.

These latest cheering developments were announced on Tuesday by Bukola Olopade the Project Consultant for the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon.

Olopade explained that the introduction of the 10km races was geared at bringing more participants on board and further make the Lagos Marathon one of the top events on the athletics calendar across the world.

According to him, the 10km race is opened to any individual resided in Nigeria regardless of their nationality.

“We have approved the 10km race for next year marathon, this will bring more excitement to the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon,” he said.

“We are very grateful to GAC Motors for the two cars they have donated for the winners of the men and women’s 10km races.

“Whether you are Chinese, American, British or even Japanese, once you are resident in Nigeria you are qualified to take part.”

It is understood that athletes outside Nigeria cannot take part in the 10km race but can give a shot at the Marathon.

With the confirmation of the car prizes, it is expected that more people will step up their preparations to win big at the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon.

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.

The third edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon is fixed for February 10, 2018

October 31, 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
Access Bank Lagos City Marathon gets IAAF Bronze Label

It was celebration galore on Monday as the news filtered in that Access Bank Lagos City Marathon has been awarded the IAAF Bronze Label by the governing body of athletics, International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF).

Staff at the Marathon Office, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, including Project Consultant Bukola Olopade and General Manager Yussuf Alli were enveloped with joy by news from IAAF Road Running Manager Alexxio Punzi.

A statement signed the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon Head of Communications and Media Olukayode Thomas said with this feat, Access Bank Lagos City Marathon has now joined global elite races like New York, Boston, Chicago, Tokyo, Dubai, London, Roma, Paris, Berlin, and others.

Among the thousands of races worldwide, only 88 are label by IAAF, Access Bank Lagos City Marathon is one of the new additions to the elite club.

Project Consultant Olopade said the Executive Governor of Lagos State Akinwunmi Ambode will formally present the certificate to Lagosians and Nigerians soon.

Olopade expressed profound gratitude to Governor Ambode for making the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon a reality and for his unflinching support.

“We are a global brand today because of Governor Ambode’s vision and foresight, without him there won’t be anything called Access Bank Lagos City Marathon. This is his project and he is giving us all support we need. He is the Chairman of the Organizing Committee.

It is support that ensured that we got a personality like Norris Williamson , a grade A IAAF/AIMS measurer, who measured the route of Atlanta, Sydney, Athens and Beijing Olympics Games to measure and certify our route, which ensured that we are a label race before our third edition’’.

Olopade also thanked Access Bank the race sponsor and others sponsors and supporters like 7 Up, Bet naija, Eko Hotels, Eko Atlantics, GAC Motors and the staff of the Marathon Office for making this achievement possible.

IAAF label races are races that are designates as leading road races around the world. It was first introduced for the 2008.

The conditions for the award of IAAF label are stringent they include but not limited to an international elite field, the race course closed to vehicular traffic, route measured to the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) standard, use of electronic timing to generate the results, a specified number of doping tests , equal prize money for the participants and others.

October 4, 2017
Okpekpe Race: Walk race gold medallist vows to prove mettle

Fadekemi Olude, a race walk gold medallist at the 2015 African Youth Athletics Championships (AYAC), has vowed to prove her mettle at the forthcoming 5th Okpekpe International 10km Road Race.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Okpekpe race, the only International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Label Road Race in Africa is scheduled for May 13 in Edo State.

Olude, who recently recognised her strength for long distance races told NAN on Monday that she hoped to win first the Nigerian female category.

“I didn’t believe it at first that I could win the second Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, but I guess being a race walker also helped me to achieve the position.

“I am planning to win the best Nigerian female position in Okpekpe with God on my side’’ she said.

Olude said she would repeat the feat like she did at the 2^nd Access Bank Lagos City Marathon on Feb.11 in Lagos.

NAN also reports that Olude won the 42km race with a time of 2:55:16.

She said that she would continue to feature in race walks and marathons.

Countries expected to participate in the event are Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Eritrea, Bahrain, Germany, Turkey, Morocco, Burundi and host, Nigeria.

New technological innovations such as mobile applications, line tracking and transponders have been introduced into this year’s competition.

April 17, 2017