Edwin Kibet Koech (Kenya), winner of the 2023 Access Marathon Lagos City Marathon on February 4, 2023.
Edwin Kibet Koech (Kenya), winner of the 2023 Access Marathon Lagos City Marathon on February 4, 2023.

Lagos on Lockdown: Massive elite and refugee runners draws global attention to Access Bank Lagos City Marathon

Over eighty-one world-class elite runners, predominantly gold label athletes, have confirmed their participation in the 9th Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, scheduled for Saturday, 10 February 2024.

Among these elite runners, numbering over 81, are 29 women with Gold Label status. Yusuf Ali, the General Manager of the Lagos City Marathon, has highlighted the event’s exceptionally rich and world-class field, expressing the potential for a new course record on February 10.

According to Chief Bukola Olopade, the Chief Executive Officer of Nilayo Sports Management Limited, the organisers of the Lagos City Marathon, the United Nations has also confirmed the participation of 15 refugee runners among the diverse field of competitors for the 9th edition.

As a former African record holder in the Long Jump for 27 years and the current race General Manager, it is noted that the confirmation of over 81 world-class Gold Label runners is a positive development for the 9th edition of the Lagos City Marathon.

This is particularly significant as preparations are underway for the 10th edition, with aspirations to elevate the race from gold label status to platinum label status.

“Our objective is to elevate the status of the Lagos City Marathon to Platinum Label, and this is achievable with the calibre of runners expected on February 10. If we can have five elite runners crossing the finish line within 2 hours and 8 minutes, we stand a strong chance of achieving the Platinum Label.

“With the participation of former world record holder Demis Kipmeto, who clocked 2 hours 2 minutes and 57 seconds, Kelkile Gezahegan from Ethiopia with a time of 2 hours 5 minutes and 56 seconds, Kiptoo Edwin at 2 hours 6 minutes and 52 seconds; and female runners such as Valary Jemeli from Kenya with a time of 2 hours 19 minutes, there is immense potential for a significant transformation in the status of the Lagos City Marathon following the race on Saturday, 10 February.”

Yusuf Ali disclosed that the 9th Lagos City Marathon will serve as a platform to select qualifiers for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

He emphasised that the 9th Access Bank Lagos City Marathon will be of exceptional quality this year, with air quality control checks conducted by World Athletics, among other measures typical of top-class marathon events worldwide.

 

 

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