Francis Ajuonuma
The Access Bank Lagos City Marathon has been branded the fastest-growing road race in the world.
The Group Managing Director (GMD), Access Corporation, Herbert Wigwe, made the observation on Saturday, while speaking at the 2023 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon (ABLCM).
According to him, the annual ABLCM which started as a bronze label race in 2016 has grown beyond expectation, reaching the gold label within a very short time and now aiming to achieve the Platinum label.
“In 2016 when we joined forces with the Lagos State Government and Nilayo Sports to host the first edition of the race, we had a grand vision to position the race as a model and point of reference for the global Athletics community.
“Looking back, we can confidently say that we have gone over and beyond what we thought was possible in less than a decade. I’m proud to say today that we are the fastest-growing road race in the world and are well on our way to achieving the Platinum label,” Wigwe said.
He noted that the fast growth of the ABLCM is in line with the bank’s objectives of achieving huge success in it’s businesses.
No more ‘Christmas’ in the village
“This feat is particularly significant to us because, at Access Corporation, we pride ourselves in our ability to outperform the market on the growth of key metrics consistently. As such, we are happy to see our DNA rub off on institutional projects like the marathon,” he added.
He maintained that the annual Access Bank Lagos City Marathon which is now in its edition is organised to encourage Nigerian athletes into greatness.
“The Access Bank Lagos City Marathon is more than a race to a marked finish line; but a path to greatness. This event is organised to inspire you to break out of the comfort zones enforced in your mind and push past seeming boundaries. After all, it’s a rough road that leads to the heights of greatness,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, Kenya and Ethiopia dominated events at the 8th Access Bank Lagos City Marathon with Kenya’s Edwin Kibet winning the men’s race in a time of 02:14:14, while Alemenesh Guta of Ethiopia won the women’s race in a time of 2:40:42.
Ethiopia’s Dekeba Tarfa finished second in the men’s race after crossing the finish line at 02:14:54, while Kenya’s Bernard Sang took the bronze medal.
For his effort, Kibet received $50,000, while Tarfa and Sang got $40,000 and $30,000 respectively.
Kebene Urisa also of Ethiopia finished second in the women’s race while Kenya’s Naomi Maiyo took the third position.
Kibet in his post race interview expressed his delight in winning the race which he said was very competitive.
“It was a very competitive race and I’m excited to have won it. It was not my best performance, my personal best was achieved in Europe but like I said I’m happy to win.
“I hope to be here next year if invited but now I’ll take three months rest and will resume training thereafter and will only compete in competition approved by my manager,” he said.
For the local marathoners, Gyang Boyi Nyango coasted home in a time of 2:27:15 he was followed by Adamu Muazu who crossed the finish line in a time of 2:30:52. Friday Yohana took the bronze medal and went home with one million naira.
Gyang went home with three million naira for his first position, while, second placed Muaza received two million naira.
In the women’s race for the local runners, Deborah Pam showed why she is the best Nigerian female marathoner as she finished first in a time of 2:48:33, Elizabeth Nuhu and Dimatu Yohana returned second and third position respectively.
