For Seven Editions, Lagos City Marathon Hasn’t Stopped, And Won’t Stop, Access Bank Assures

The focus of the world will be on the city of Lagos on Saturday as the 7th Access Bank Lagos City Marathon holds.

The road race, which has been adjudged as one of the consistent marathon races in the world, will feature runners across the globe.

The event this year is unique because it will see the return of the 10km physical race, alongside the 10km virtual race and the 42km physical race. 

 
Unlike the 2021 edition event, which featured 300 athletes in the 42km race, with other members of the public joining the virtual 10km race on the FiNerge app, the 2022 edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon is open to all members of the public. 

Speaking during a media conference leading to the ‘Super Race’ as described by the Consultant of the marathon event, Bukola Olopade, the Group Head, Corporate Communication and External Affairs of Access Bank Plc, the title sponsor of the tournament, Amaechi Okobi said that “with its inaugural edition held in 2016, Access Bank, in partnership with the Lagos State Government, began an incredible journey with Nigerians, and millions of stakeholders across the world to impact lives and create a healthy society.

“We had a desire to create a platform that will improve local sports, especially athletics, to promote a healthy lifestyle among Nigerians, and ultimately, the entire continent. In addition, we wanted the communities around the world to understand our culture, history, and the enterprising spirit that drives the city of Lagos.

“With more than 120,000 participants and millions of observers spread across the world, the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon embodies the values of Access Bank and Lagos State. Values built around resilience, continuity, and pushing the boundaries of the perceived impossible.

“For seven editions, the race hasn’t stopped, and won’t stop! Despite the challenges posed by the global pandemic, we have evolved, demonstrated resilience, and shown our capacity to stage a competition that measures up to global standards. You can rest assured, this year’s race will be even better and more competitive than previous editions. Of course, we expect the marathon’s records across the male and female races to be challenged and even broken.

“The Access Bank Lagos City Marathon has provided a platform for thousands of young athletes who are eager to dominate the world using their incredible talent and we are proud of our local and international participating athletes who have gone on to excel beyond the shores of the continent.

“Notwithstanding the benefits of the race’s continuity to athletes and thousands of citizens interested in healthy living, the marathon is also vital to the local sports tourism industry,” Okobi said.

Executive Chairman of Lagos State Sports Commission, Sola Aiyepeku, applauded the consistency of the title sponsor, Access Bank and other sponsor that have stood by the tournament despite the peculiar economic climate operating in Nigeria, adding that the investment of the sponsors is being noted.

According to him,  Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu is committed to sports development, hence the construction of community based sports facilities across the state to give the teeming youths the encouragement to take to sports.

“At the government level, we are all looking forward to seeing Access Bank Lagos City Marathon becoming a platinum race in no distance future,” he said.

President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Tonobok Okowa was delighted with the contribution of the sponsors to the development of marathon race in the country, while former president of the AFN, Solomon Ogba revealed how the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon has impacted positively on the policy direction of sports in Lagos with the way the government has been developing sports infrastructures and talent development.

“I am also happy that the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon has given impetus to many road races in Nigeria. The World Athletics is also happy with what we are doing in Lagos,” Ogba said.

The Consultant of the race, Olopade said that the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon stands out among others as the ambience of the finish point at the Eko Atlantic on Victoria Island, Lagos is the most beautiful of all road races being organized across the world.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the 10km physical race will commence at Grace Gardens Event Place, Bisola Durosinmi Etti, Lekki Phase 1 by 10 am and end at Eko Atlantic, while the 42km race will begin at National Stadium, Surulere by 6:30 am and also end at Eko Atlantic.