50,000 athletes to participate in 2017 Lagos City Marathon

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Monday said no fewer than 50,000 athletes from across the world would participate in the second edition of Access Bank Lagos City Marathon holding on Feb. 11, 2017.

Ambode, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, said necessary logistics had been put in place to make the event successful and promote the tourism potentials of the state.

Its said, “No fewer than 33, 753 runners, including 65 elite marathoners from different parts of the world and over 100 local elite runners participated in the 2016 edition held on Feb. 6.”

The statement said that as a result of the success of the maiden edition, several individuals and corporate organisations contacted the organisers to partner towards ensuring a successful tourney.

 

It said that the 2017 edition would feature the top 10 men and women marathoners in the world, who would also be joined by many gold, silver and bronze label marathoners from different parts of the world.

The statement said that the appearance fees for gold, silver and bronze label runners will be 50,000, 20,000 and 10,000 U.S dollars respectively.

It said “Invited local and foreign elite runners will be paid 50 per cent of their appearance fees now and balanced up when they arrive Lagos for the tourney.

“Winner will also go home with a cash prize of 50,000 U.S dollars, while second and third place winners will smile home with 40,000 and 30,000 U.S dollars respectively.

“The Lagos City Marathon is presently ranked 68th in the world, but our desire is to make it the top ten in the world and that is what we are working on with the next episode of the event.

“Unlike the one held on February 6 this year, with over 30,000 athletes, we are targeting a minimum of 50,000 runners who will take the city of Lagos by storm and put the city on the world map for coming up with such a huge event.”

The statement said that the Governor also expressed optimism that the success of the first edition and efforts to make next edition bigger would earn the Lagos City Marathon Creative Artists Agency label.

It said that the State Government was working with other partners to address the challenges recorded in the first edition.

It said, “Route education plan will be released early so that residents can plan their movement on race day.

“There will also be live transmission for the local and global audience. There will be clearer and bolder kilometre marking along the route.”

The statement said that the Managing Director of Access Bank, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, the major partners of the Marathon, expressed optimism that the 2017 edition of the race would be bigger and better.

It said, “We are glad to partner with Lagos State, because the success of the first edition did not only showcase Lagos to be an avenue for sports development, but also for the growth of tourism and youth development.”