The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Lagos City Marathon

  • KENYAN WINS $50,000 LAGOS MARATHON TOP PRIZE

    KENYAN WINS $50,000 LAGOS MARATHON TOP PRIZE

    •As residents experience traffic gridlock

    IAAF gold label marathoner, Kenya’s Abraham Kipton has crossed the finish line in a time of 2hrs 16mins and 46secs to emerge as the overall winner of the maiden edition of the Access Bank sponsored Lagos City Marathon on Saturday. Kipton carted home a cash prize of $50,000.

    The first Nigerian to cross the finish line,Philip Usharubutu, who finished the marathon race in 2hrs 30mins, settled for the N1 million prize money. He finished in the seventh position overall.

    Kenya’s Hosea Kipkeboi came second with a time of 2:16:34 while Ethiopia’s Debebe Ethosa came in third with a time of 2:16:40.

    Ethiopia’s Halima Kayo was the first woman to finish the race in 2:38:36 while Alice Timbul of Kenya came second with a time of 2:38:49 just as Aberash Fetase of Ethiopia returned 2:39:09 to place third. USA-based 39-year old Mary Akor was the first Nigerian female runner. Akor also went home with a cash prize of N1 million being the first Nigerian female to finish the race.

    Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode flagged off the race at 7:10am with a host of dignitaries in attendance. Twenty thousand participants took part in the marathon race which started from the National Stadium in Surulere to New Lagos (Eko Atlantic City).

    However, some Lagos Motorists experienced difficulties in getting to their destinations as road blocks were mounted in strategic locations to avoid accidents.

  • Sexagenarian completes Lagos marathon

    A 68-year-old woman, Abiola Oshodi-Adeniyibada, who took part and completed the 42km Lagos City Marathon on Saturday, has commended the sponsors and organisers of the event.

    Oshodi-Adeniyibada told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the Teslim Balogun Stadium starting point of the race that her aim was to reach the finishing point.

    The woman said it was not her first time of participating in sporting activities, adding that she had taken part in marathons outside the country in the past.

    The retired civil servant said, “I am very happy to be part of this historic marathon which is the first of its kind in Lagos and the organisers deserve commendation.

    “I did track and field when I was in high school and my love for sports brought me out to be part of this.

    “If I get tired on the road, I will rest or probably enter one of the official buses. But I will definitely get to the finish point.

    “I’m not here for the money, but to exercise my body and also catch fun while participating,” she told NAN.

  • Kenya’s Kipton wins Lagos City Marathon

    Kenya’s Kipton wins Lagos City Marathon

    Kenyan long distance runner, Abraham Kipton, on Saturday won the inaugural edition of the Lagos City Marathon, edging out over 20, 000 athletes from Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia, Morocco, Uganda, India, Cameroon and other parts of the world.

    Kipton crossed the finishing line in 2 hours, 16 minutes, 21 seconds.

    He bagged the ultimate prize of $50, 000 for his effort.

    Nigerian Emmanuel Gyan finished seventh in the race and will go home with N1million cash prize.

  • Hawkers make brisk business ahead of Lagos City Marathon

    With less than 48 hours to the Access Lagos City Marathon, hawkers make brisk business in front of the Teslim Balogun Stadium office and starting point for the race.

    The 42km race is scheduled for Feb. 6 by 7 a. m.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that soft drinks hawkers and snacks vendors were seen displaying their wares for athletes and enthusiasts visiting the stadium to buy.

    Some of them told NAN on Thursday that they used the opportunity to sell their items and make extra money.

    They said that they had made more gain because of the large number of people coming to the place in the last two days.

    Risikat Kola, a soft drink hawker, said when she heard that the marathon’s office was at the stadium, she knew she would make more sales.

    “I was selling at Barracks bus stop but when I heard that people are trooping to Teslim Balogun Stadium, I knew it was a great opportunity for me to sell.

    “I have made more money selling my drinks here in the last two days unlike when I was at Barracks bus stop,’’ she said.

    Another seller, Bisi Olowokere, said she was excited selling her goods, adding that she had gained more than while hawking.

    “I am happy that I am selling here; the people coming into the stadium have bought a lot from me. I have been here since Tuesday,’’ she said.

    Ganiyu Salman who hawks snacks said he used the opportunity to make brisk business, adding that such did not happen every day.