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Tag: Access Bank Lagos City Marathon

  • Olamide misses Splash FM Marathon

    Olamide misses Splash FM Marathon

    Oluwaseun Olamide, who won the first position at the 2016 Splash FM Ibadan City’s 42km Marathon will miss the 2017 edition because she is not prepared.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ninth edition of the race, with the theme: ‘Run For A Cause’, is scheduled for April 9 in Ibadan.

    Olamide, who finished 3:15:20 at the eighth edition, told NAN on Thursday in Lagos that she would not participate as she did not prepare for the race.

    “I will not be participating in the Splash FM marathon because I did not prepare for it,

    “I actually made up my mind before the second Access Bank Lagos City marathon.

    “I told my coach that I do not want to participate in this year’s edition and he reasoned with me,’’ she told NAN.

    Olamide did not finish among the top 20 in the female category of the second Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, which held on Feb. 11.

    Iliya Pam of Nasarawa won the male category of the 2016 edition of the Splash FM Ibadan City marathon with a time of 2:39:37.

    Olamide, who placed first in the Nigeria female category maiden Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, however, said she would participate in the Okpekpe 10km race.

    “I am looking forward to participating in the Okpekpe road race.

    “I have started preparing for it, all things being equal, I hope to emerge victorious,’’ she said.

    NAN reports that the 2017 edition of the Okpekpe race is scheduled for May 13 in Okpekpe,  Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo.

     

  • ‘Dearth of sponsorship forces athletes to quit race-walking’

    Fadekemi Olude, a 2015 African Youth Athletics Championships (AYAC) race-walking gold medalist, says dearth of sponsorship has forced many athletes to abandon the sport.

    “Lack of sponsorship has made many athletes to completely avoid the sport,” she told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Tuesday.

    Race-walking is a long-distance discipline within the sport of athletics. Although it is a foot race, it is different from running in that one foot must appear to be in contact with the ground at all times.

    It is held on road or running tracks; common distances vary from 3000m to 100km.

    Olude, however, called on corporate organisations and philanthropists to support the track and field event in a bid to promote it.

    She noted that athletes also shunned the sport because of its unpopularity compared to other sports.

    The athlete, who said the road to stardom was not easy, pointed out that her driving force remained the passion for race-walking.

    “Race walking is my love but in Nigeria, lack of international exposure is depriving athletes of opportunities to improve themselves. I am
    grateful that I was given the opportunity at the 2015 AYAC.

    “Due to the lack of encouragement, a lot of athletes are running away from the sport. They are all going to sports that are known or popular.

    “It is my passion, it is what I love doing, I cannot run away from it,” she told NAN.

    Olude, who recently found a new love in marathon, said she was grateful to God for the talent she has for race-walking.

    “I just thank God for what has been happening in my life in race-walking and marathon. Training without good food and multivitamins has
    not been easy.

    “If I am able to win more money from marathon, I will use it to improve myself in both sports.”

    She said corporate organisations should also extend sponsorship to the sport in the same manner and interest they had shown in marathon, adding “race-walking has a lot of health benefits.”

    NAN also reports that Olude finished first in the Nigeria female category of the 2nd Access Bank Lagos City Marathon with a time of 2 hour, 55 minutes and 16 seconds.

     

  • Lagos City Marathon: Ambode picks Feb 10 2018 for 3rd edition

    Lagos City Marathon: Ambode picks Feb 10 2018 for 3rd edition

    The Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has picked February 10 2018

    to hold  the third edition of the Access Bank Lagos City  Marathon.
    The yearly event which has continued to attract many participants all

    over the world according to the consultant of the race, Bukola Olapade will see new innovations

    being introduced in the next edition.

    In the same vein, the media officer of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Kayode

    Thomas has observed that Nigerian marathoners are capable of winning the

    major marathon races  through hard work while  all logistics in place by relevant authorities.

    The 2017 edition of the Access Bank Lagos City  Marathon race saw the

    East Africans carting away  the highest cash prizes earmarked for the race.

    In the same vein, Kenya’s Abraham Kpitum for two two consecutive seasons

    has carted home the cash prize of $50,000 home while the fastest Nigerian of the race took  a home a sum of N1m for his efforts.

    Meanwhile, s over 50,000 local and international athletes from 27 countries, graced the 2017 edition of the race.

  • 2017 Lagos Marathon: Physically challenged runners to be paid for appearance

    2017 Lagos Marathon: Physically challenged runners to be paid for appearance

    Physically challenged persons who will appear in the 42km 2nd Access Bank Lagos City Marathon are to get appearance money from the sponsors.

    Also, the winners are guaranteed the payment of their prize money immediately after the race, the Project’s Consultant, Nilayo Nigeria Ltd., said on Wednesday in Lagos.

    The Managing Director of the consultancy firm, Bukola Olopade, said in a statement that Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State had made it possible for the monies to be paid immediately.

    The statement by the Media Department of the Marathon Office quoted Olopade as saying that the appearance money for the physically challenged runners would be paid by race sponsors like Access Bank.

    Other sponsors are 7-Up Bottling Company, Bet Naija, Yussuf Alli, the General Manager of the Marathon and Nilayo Nigeria Ltd.

    “We are grateful to the governor of Lagos State for making available the prize money for all categories of athletes before the race.

    “All runners competing in this edition of the marathon will get their prize money as soon as they cross the finishing line and are presented with medals,’’ it said.

    The statement noted that only athletes whose samples were collected by doping officers for a test would not get their prize money until the results of their tests were out.

    It urged the residents of Lagos to emulate their counterparts in other parts of the world by coming out in their thousands to cheer the runners.

    “This edition is bigger and better but the main ingredient in any sporting event is the fans and I’m appealing to Lagosians to emulate their counterparts in New York.

    “Accra, London, Dubai and fans in other parts of the world come out en masse to cheer the runners.’’

    Nigeria’s hip hop artistes like Olamide, Davido, Techno, Seyi Shey, Kiss Daniel, Koker, Melrouge, Small Doctor and Jire will be performing at the finish point, the statement said.

  • Access Bank Lagos Marathon: Lagosians advised on road closure

    Access Bank Lagos Marathon: Lagosians advised on road closure

    Yussuf Alli, the General Manager, Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, on Monday released the details on road closure for Feb. 11, 2017, the day of the second edition of the race.

    Alli disclosed that some part of Lagos would be shut down for about 12 hours to ensure the safety of thousands of runners, cheering fans and Lagosians.

    According to a statement by the media department of the Marathon’s office, the residents of Ikeja and environs going to Victoria Island are urged to go through Ikorodu Road.

    Vehicles from Badagry, Mile 2 and environs going to Victoria Island should do so via Apapa and Orile to link Eko Bridge to Victoria Island.

    Residents of Lagos Mainland, Surulere and environs are advised to avoid Masha Area and National Stadium but they could link Victoria Island through Iponri/Iganmu, Eko Bridge.

    It also said that Vehicles coming from Ibadan, Mowe and environs could link Victoria Island through Ojota, Ikorodu Road, Eko Bridge to Victoria Island.

    While vehicles from Okota are to 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.

    Vehicles coming from Epe, Ajah, Lekki and environ must use the alternative route to Victoria Island, Ikoyi residents going to the Mainland can use Alfred Rewane (Kingsway Road) link Osborne to the Mainland.

    It also quoted Alli as saying that the following roads like Third Mainland Bridge, Alaka, National Stadium, Ojuelegba to Adekunle Junction would be totally or partially closed.

    “The Third Mainland Bridge will be closed from 7.15 a.m. to 2 p.m., Alaka Road Service late will be closed from 5.45 a.m. to 7.30 a.m., National Stadium to Ojuelegba.

    “Dorman long Bridge, Onipanu, Obanikoro, and Anthony will be closed from 6.45 a.m. to 9 a.m., Anthony Village to Oworonsoki will be closed from 7.15 a.m. to 9 a.m.

    “Adekunle Junction that links Third Mainland Bridge will be closed from 7.30 a.m. to 2 p.m.,’’ it said.

    It also said that runners would start collecting their kits from Feb. 1, 2017, at Molade Okoya Thomas Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium.

  • Lagos to be shut down for Marathon

    Lagos to be shut down for Marathon

     

     

    The General Manager of the 2017  Access Bank Lagos Marathon race, Yussuf Alli has urged Lagosians to obey road closure signals and show the positive side of Lagos to thousands of visitors from within and outside the country.  The 2nd  edition of Access Bank Lagos City Marathon  has been slated for February 11.

    Meanwhile,  the organisers of the race have advised participants driving to park their vehicles at the Teslim Balogun Stadium or the National Stadium as most roads around the start area will be closed. Attempts to drive to the areas may cause congestion and delays and violators may be sanctioned. Participants  were also  advised to come early to avoid delays.

    The starting point will be at Western Avenue, in front of the National Stadium Surulere, opposite Teslim Balogun Stadium while the  finish line will be in front of Eko Atlantic City, Victoria Island.

    In the same vein,  Alli also implored runners, especially the fun runners and those running for charities to remember that the cut time is seven hours.

    “Marathons worldwide have their cut off time, for some its five hours other eight or more but for our race the cut of time is seven hours. The race starts by 7.am and we expect the last runner to be at the finish by 2pm, peradventure a runner is not the finish by 2 pm, medical officials will provide a vehicle that will transport such runners to the finish, we urge all runners to obey and comply with their instructions as roads that are closed will be opened after the cut off time’’.

    Ali has  expressed  optimism that   Lagos  State would  stage a world-class marathon  as a result of the logistics put in place by the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode.

    He said: “The Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency Akinwumi Ambdode has been of tremendous assistance to the Organizing Committee, we have put in place everything we need to organize a good race, from technical to events, security and others, I can assure all class of participants from elite runners to fun runners and charity runners that if the marathon is to take place tomorrow we are ready to stage a world class event’’.

    Alli who has managed many international mega events like the All African Games said Governor Ambode has also provided all the assistance needed including support from Lagos State Government agencies like Lastma, Kia, Lassa and others.

  • Access Bank Lagos City Marathon: Accreditation Process Begins For Journalists

    Access Bank Lagos City Marathon: Accreditation Process Begins For Journalists

  • Marathon: Funds constraint disrupts Olowora

    Marathon: Funds constraint disrupts Olowora

     

     

    LAGOS marathon and road races prodigy, Aminat Olowora has revealed that she would have loved to participate in the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon slated for February but was restricted by lack of funds.

    She said:”I am a student and I don’t have the money to transport myself to Nigeria. This is why I haven’t been home since I came here”.

    Olowora who is currently studying at the Oklahoma City University where she won the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) women’s cross country championships last November was however optimistic she can break the East African dominance of marathon races on the continent.

    “My main goal is to one day become the best in the world and I know to do that I need to out-run the Kenyans and the Ethiopians. I have been training hard to make sure I achieve this. I have beaten so many Kenyans and Ethiopians in the NAIA circuit.

    “They are however not the type of Kenyans and Ethiopians I want to beat. The ones I want to

    beat are the ones running in the big marathons across the globe”, she stated.

    Meanwhile, Olowora has commended Governor Akinwunmi  Ambode for returning long distance running to Lagos.

    “This is what we need to make us competitive. The more athletes see competitions, the more motivated they are, and ‘she said and urged other state governors to emulate Governor Ambode so that Nigerian can successfully compete against the Kenyans and the Ethiopians.

    Olowora was voted the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) women Athlete of the Year. She won the 1,500m, 5,000m and 10,000m events at the Eko 2012 National Sports Festival.

  • Ahead of Access Bank Lagos City Marathon: I finished among the Top 40 at the Paris Marathon- Sharubutu

     

     

    The first Nigerian male marathoner  to cross the finishing line at the 2016 edition, Philibus Sharubutu,has declared that  being among the top runners at the Paris Marathon, Doha Marathon and recently the Jos Marathon he stands a chance to soar at the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon holding in February 11.

     

    It could be recalled that Sharubutu’s feat at the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon got him an invitation to 2016 Paris Marathon and Doha Marathon.

    He said: “I am preparing well for the forthcoming Lagos Marathon.“In fact, I have recorded a lot of improvement because I shaved off about 4 seconds from my Personal Best (PB) of 2:32.41 at the Jos Marathon. I finished among the Top 40 at the Paris Marathon last April, so racing in both Paris and Doha have really helped me. My plan is to retain my title that’s why I’m working this hard for it.”

     

    Sharabutu who  commenced full training this week said he had to take some rest before embarking on the training regimen for the Lagos City Marathon:”I ran two marathons in November, and needed some time to recover. First was the Doha Marathon which I ran on the 11th, where I placed 10th overall. I then competed in the International Jos Marathon on the 27th which I won.

  • Access Bank Lagos City Marathon: I’m not scared of the East Africans- Nigeria’s Marathon queen

    Access Bank Lagos City Marathon: I’m not scared of the East Africans- Nigeria’s Marathon queen

     

    The number one Nigerian female runner at the maiden edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, Oluwaseun Olamide, has  stated that she is not scared of the top rated athletes expected across the world to feature in the 2017 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon slated for February11,2017.

    Olamide  added that  she is  excited that she will be rubbing shoulders with the very best in the world.

    She said: “I have heard of the big names coming again for this year’s race but I am not bothered, for me there is nothing special about the Kenyans or Ethiopians, once you believe in yourself and train as hard as they do then you can be sure to rub shoulders with them.”

    Olamide who is now a celebrity, thanks to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s initiative of starting the Lagos Marathon sponsored by Access Bank, was the first Nigerian female runner to cross the finishing line last year .

    Her goal this time is not just to retain her status as the country’s female number one runner but break into the overall top five athletes in the female category.

    “I finished in 18th position overall last year, but this time I want to be at least in the top 10 or even in the top five” the 19-year- old stated

    During her training session at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos on Wednesday, Olamide said she was leaving nothing to chance even as she revealed that she began intensive training over a month ago to fulfil her mission.

    “I have been preparing since last year December and I am confident it is going to good again in 2017 , I have not run in any races in recent times because I am fully focused on the Lagos marathon,” she said.