We’re Ready For 2019 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon -Tandoh (INTERVIEW)

I can say categorically that Lagos is very prepared. The very good thing about the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon is the fact that preparation for the next edition start the day after the previous one. We have started working together with the organisers right from last year February 11 when the last edition was held and a lot of what we have now are things that have been done over months.

Organising marathon is not a three or four months programme, it takes a long term plan and I’m glad that we now have a structure in Lagos state to organise events with planning and organising taking place six to seven months ahead. That structure, that template is already in place and we are running with it.

It put the event on a bigger scale in the world map because every marathon is rated by the number of elite marathoners, either gold, silver or bronze labelled runners; the grade A athletes so to say. For us to have for the fourth year as much as gold label runners is a testament to the fact that we are not only doing well but the IAAF are impressed with what we are doing for them to be able to allow high calibre athletes to come to Nigeria.

This year, we have looked at areas last year where we felt that we need improvement and I can assure you that in terms of organisation of the marathon, there has been a lot of improvement this year.

Since 1999, Lagos has been working in continuum. We have had the privilege of having from the same ruling party in Lagos state and that has really helped us. I’m sure that continuity will be carried on to everything in the state. We don’t have issue regarding the continuity of the Lagos City Marathon because the benefits to the state are beyond politics and that’s why any governor that comes in would definitely embrace the event as we believe that the incoming governor will be coming from the same party.

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s vision started this marathon and since that time the decision was taken three years ago, we now have over 40 marathons that have started in Nigeria and what that mean is that, there is something to the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon and the state has key into it not just for sporting benefits but the economy benefits as well, the tourism benefits as well other intangible benefits so to speak.

Everybody feel happy at this time and you can see the atmosphere here at the Marathon Expo, everything is going well and that marathon culture will definitely continue in Lagos. I can tell you from the plans that we have at the Lagos State Sports Commission, this will not be the only marathon in Lagos state.

Like marathons all over the world, it is not only those that are present live that take part in the event. There will be live coverage for the event and we want Lagosians to tune in for the coverage of the entire 42 kilometres from the start at about 6:30am till the end. We will have live coverage, there will be live entertainment going along with it. People can even come to the various fun parks here at the Teslim Balogun stadium, another one at Lekki phase one and at the finish point as well. So it is going to be a day of fun for everyone. Lagosians can come out with the families to have fun.

I’m sure that this culture that has been entrenched in Lagos will bear positive fruits in various other aspects. The aspects of healthy living and taking part in activities that will bring ernomous economic benefits at the high level that all of us want in which artisans are empowered, market women, traders, hoteliers, taxi drivers are all empowered over a period of time. This will surely add a lot values to what the economy benefits are, no doubt about it, the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon is an event that has added so much value to Lagos state and I’m sure it will continue to do so for a very long time to come