Access Bank Lagos Marathon A Brand That Has Come To Stay – Ambode

The Governor of Lagos State, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode has declared that the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon has become a global brand that has come stay in the state.

Governor Ambode stated this on Monday while officially flagging off the preparation ahead of the fourth edition of Access Bank Lagos City Marathon which will hold on 2 February, 2019. The Governor emphatically said that the dream which started since the debut edition of the marathon would never die. He said the state government and the organisers are expecting a good number of new developments and unique things going into the fourth Access Bank Lagos City Marathon.

“We are expecting this competition to become IAAF Silver Label race in 2019. Our target in the fourth edition is to have over 150,000 participants from both Nigeria and the rest of the world. With this level of participation, we planned to break new world record in Marathon race organisation across the world which I strongly believe that we can all achieved.

“We also going to pay more attention and encourage local participation and give the physically challenged people more room to take part in the event. I also strongly believe that our athletes can win this competition and takeover from the dominance of the East Africans who have been winning the race.

“The essence of what we are doing is to develop our youth, ” said Governor Ambode, who disclosed that he too will participate by running in the 2019 edition.

Meanwhile, the Executive Chairman of Lagos State Sports Commission, Dr Kweku Adedayo Tandoh said that the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon has further instilled the culture of Marathon race in the life of Lagosians since the first edition, even as other states in Nigeria have been forced to take a cue by introducing their own Marathon races.

“The sports loving Governor of Lagos, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode is a pacesetter and has further shown to the world that Lagos is indeed the “Centre of Excellence”, Dr Tandoh said.

The Managing Director of Access Bank, Mr Herbert Wigwe whose bank is the titled sponsor, reiterated the commitment of the bank to support the marathon with sponsorship as long as it exits, adding that the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon has changed the entire narrative of the history of Nigeria and Lagos.

President of Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Alhaji Ibrahim Shehu Gusau was full of praises on Governor Ambode who he described as a pacesetter who other states are following. He added that the competition has added values to the economy of the state and the people.