•City People Reveals What To Expect @ The Marathon
+What Gov. AMBODE Is Planning
Over 4,000 runners from 42 countries around the world have registered to participate in the 2019 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon. This figure does not include over 200 professional runners, mostly from Asia, Europe, America, Kenya, Ethiopia and other East, Central and South African countries.
Access Bank Lagos City Marathon Head of Communications and Media, Olukayode Thomas, revealed that Americans are the highest number of foreigners that will be coming to Lagos for 2019 race slated for February 2, 2019. Japanese are a close second. Other countries whose citizens have registered for the 2019 race include Holland, Germany, Israel, Poland, England, New Zealand, Canada, Egypt, Austria, Tunisia, Norway, Denmark and others.
In the first edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon in 2016 about a 100 runners from 15 countries participated. In 2017 there were over a thousand runners from 20 countries. And the 2018 edition had over two thousand runners from 30 countries. Bukola Olopade, the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon consultant, attributed the increase in number of tourists coming to Lagos for the race to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s several initiatives and beautification of Lagos State since he elected governor that has made the state tourist friendly.
4th edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon billed to take place on Saturday, February 2, 2019. Olukayode Thomas, Head Communications and Media for the marathon, the kit collection for intending runners that have completed the registration process will officially begin on Monday 28th. The kit collection is starting quite early this year. From Monday, those that have successfully completed the registration process can come for their kits and goodie bags,” he said. Thomas said, the distribution of the kits would take place at the Car Park of the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere.
To collect your kits, you only need to show the acknowledgement message received after the registration was completed and also provide a valid means of identification,” Thomas explained. He added: “For those that want to send others to collect on their behalf, they will have to write an authorization note to that effect” Aside from the Teslim Balogun Stadium, there will also be another kit collection centre at the Tafawa Balewa Square, TBS but collection will start at the venue from Wednesday. Organisers explained that the early distribution of kits and dual collection centres are all targeted at allowing for a seamless process. Meanwhile, arrangements are also in top gear to have the Marathon Expo from January 22 through to January 31st. Already, many top companies across the country have signified their intention to be part of this year’s marathon expo which is an indication that the expo would be bigger than the previously held editions. Aside from more companies coming on to showcase their self, more fun, entertainment and chance for the public to win mouthwatering prizes have also been added to the 2019 Marathon Expo. The Access Bank Lagos City Marathon is an IAAF Bronze Label race and this year over 150,000 from across the world are expected to participate.
AMBODE ON LAGOS CITY MARATHON 2019
Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has said, this 4th edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, which is scheduled for February 2, 2019, is expected to feature more than 150,000 athletes across the world. Ambode, who spoke at a press conference at the Lagos House, Ikeja, on Monday, said the 2019 edition of the race is targeted at setting new world records.
The governor said the necessary logistics would be put in place to ensure it’s ranked among the top 10 marathons in 2019, adding that with the success of the last three editions and efforts to make next year’s edition bigger, the Lagos City Marathon would achieve an IAAF Silver Label next year.
He said the prize money for next year’s race would remain the same as in 2018. The male and female winners of the 2019 Lagos City Marathon will go home with cash prizes of $50,000, while the second and third-place runners will win $40,000 and $30,000 – as was disbursed in 2018.
Ambode said, “In the first edition of the marathon, we had less than 50,000 runners but by this year, we had over 120,000 runners in both the 42km and 10km races. In 2019, we want to be the biggest race in the world and we are expecting nothing less than 150,000 runners in both races.
“We also expect an increase in the number of elite runners from different parts of the world while the local elite athletes would also increase as the event becomes established in the athletics calendar across the world. We want to achieve the IAAF Silver Label at the end of next year as we made history in becoming the first race in the world to have the IAAF Bronze Label in the first two years of its existence.
“We will pay more attention to the physically-challenged athletes and encourage more local participation to achieve the target. Lagos is using sports as a vehicle to help develop our youths, to create mentally-balanced youths who will build the country.”Managing Director, Access Bank Plc, who are the major sponsors of the event, Herbert Wigwe, expressed optimism that the 2019 race would be bigger and better.He said Access Bank was glad to partner with Lagos State, noting that the success of the 2018 edition did not only showcase Lagos as an avenue for sports development, but also for the growth of tourism and youth development.
REVOLUTIONPLUS PROPERTY IS THE TITLE SPONSOR
RevolutionPlus Property Development Ltd, a foremost property company in Lagos is the title sponsor and the only property firm partnering Access Bank Lagos City Marathon.
As title sponsors, RevolutionPlus Property has rolled out several promos on all their estates guaranteeing affordable housing is within the reach of everyone. Plots of land and houses in Brooklyn Court, Ibeju-Lekki, Flourish Residences, Sangotedo, The Grandeur Abijo GRA and many other RevolutionPlus estates are available at discounted prices. You can pay as low as 50 thousand to own a plot.
The MD of the company, Mr. Bamidele Onalaja and his wife, the Executive Director of RevolutionPlus Property, Mrs. Tolulope Onalaja will both play a major role at this year’s event.
The company will be giving out many gifts to some of the participants and various gifts will also be won. Presently, RevolutionPlus Property is currently at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos for 10 day Expo of the Lagos City Marathon.
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