Organisers eye Platinum Label at Access Bank Lagos City Marathon as 10th edition holds Saturday

By Francis Ajuonuma

Organisers of Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, Nilayo Sports Management Company Limited, have said they are very focused to achieving a platinum label for the event which is now on its 10th edition.

The Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, a 42km race which debuted in 2014 is presently a gold label event.

Chief Executive Officer of Nilayo Sports management Company Limited, Mrs. Yetunde Olopade while addressing the media on Friday February 14, 2025 at the Corporate Headquarters of Access Holdings Plc in Lagos ahead of the 10th Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, which holds on Saturday February 15, 2025, expressed confidence that the platinum label is achievable.

She said that it is the vision of Nilayo Sports management Company Limited, to make Access Bank Lagos City Marathon one of the best in the world and best in Africa, while making Lagos global marathon destination.

“At Nilayo Sports management Company it’s our vision to make Lagos global marathon destination. We are happy that today it’s one of the best marathon in the world. Our plan is to achieve platinum label,” she said.

While commending the sponsors, Access Bank and Lagos State Government for their supports and exposing Lagos positively to the world, Mrs Olopade added: “We’re on a mission to make the annual Access Bank Lagos City Marathon global sporting festival; one that will put Africa in the spotlight of world sports.

Amaechi Okobi, Access Holdings Plc’ Chief Communication Officer in his response challenged other corporate world to support the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon and make it bigger, comparable to the New York, Washington and London Marathons.
“We’re like just outside of the New York, Washington, London Marathons but we are working hard and looking forward to be at the highest level with the best marathon,”‘ he said.

Yusuf Alli, General Manager, Access Bank Lagos City Marathon commenting on technical aspect of the race, said 60,000 registered to participate in the race but 37, 000 interested participants collected their bibs.

“We’re ready for tomorrow’s marathon. It’s starting by 6.30 am with over 37,000 haven collected their bibs. We are targeting to achieving the platinum label and for us to achieve that it means the winners must finish their race at under 2hrs:10 minutes and I’m optimistic it can be achieved,” he said.

Also speaking at the event, President of Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN),Tonobot Okowa said this year’s edition promises to be the best compared to the past edition, assuring that all machineries have been put in place to achieve a great and successful marathon on Saturday.

Winner in the women’s race will receive $50,000 just as in the men’s category.