After a successful second edition early this year, the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon has been awarded the Bronze Label by the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF).
Among the thousands of races worldwide, only 88 are labelled by IAAF, including the Okpekpe international road race in Edo state, and the Lagos marathon is one of the new additions.
Recall that in February, the promoter of the Okpekpe race, Mike Itemuagbor, whose 10km Race is the first and – at the time – the only road race in Nigeria to get an IAAF label, had urged governor Akinwunmi Ambode to strive to make the Lagos marathon the first full marathon in West Africa to get an IAAF label.
In his words, “By organising this marathon, the governor is not only promoting sports and tourism in Lagos State but also ensuring he governs over a healthy community of people.
“That (getting an IAAF label) will make Nigeria the only country in Africa to have two IAAF label races. With the conclusion of the second edition of the Lagos Marathon, organisers of the event can apply for a bronze label for the race and I am confident their application will be favourably considered.”
Itemuagbor has had his wishes dome true as the development sparked wild celebrations at the Marathon Office at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos on Wednesday.
Governor Ambode would formally present the certificate to Lagosians and Nigerians soon, according to the project consulltant Olopade who praised the governor for his unflinching support.
He said, “We are a global brand today because of Governor Ambode’s vision and foresight, without him there won’t be anything called Access Bank Lagos City Marathon. This is his project and he is giving us all support we need.“
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