Like Oliver Twist,  Lagosians Ask For More Access Bank City Marathon After Ambode Leaves Office

L-R: DG Lagos State Sports Commission, Babatunde Bank-Anthony, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and Executive Chairman, Lagos State Sports Commission, Dr Kweku Tandoh at the Eko Atlantic, the finishing point of the 2019 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon on Saturday.

The 2019 edition of Access Bank Lagos City Marathon ended on Saturday leaving in its wake sweet memory in the lives of many citizens of the state who have been positively affected by the international race.

With more 100,000 participants who included 2000 from America and 4000 from no fewer than 58 countries across the world, the fourth edition of Access Bank Lagos City Marathon lived up to its expectations with both the runners and spectators taking home a memory of the IAAF Bronze Label Tournament.

Some Lagosians who spoke with PM EXPRESS said that with the incumbent governor of the state leaving office in May this year,  they would want the incoming governor to continue the legacy of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon.

“I must confess this event is the most single competition in Nigeria that draws the largest participants to Nigeria,  even football cannot do this. I want to commend the organisers for this initiative and also thank Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for buying into this project. My concern is the future of this event after Ambode leaves office. This Access Bank Lagos City Marathon must continue after Ambode, ” Segun Olakunle,  a student in one of the tertiary institutions in Lagos who came to the starting point of the marathon at the National Stadium Surulere, Lagos said.

The day of the marathon has always been a business day to some traders who usually caught on the frenzy of the competition to make money.

“I want the next governor of Lagos State to please ensure that this tournament must not stop.  Access Bank Lagos City Marathon is a great legacy Governor Ambode is leaving behind. I sale soft drinks and I can tell you that since four years ago that this marathon debuted, I know the volume of sales I used to record just in a single day. You can see what could happen when a city decides to unite for a single purpose, ” said James Okafor.

To a woman known as Mama John,  who sale meat pie at Barracks bus stop close to Ojuelegba in Surulere, Access Bank Lagos City Marathon is an event that should last for more than a day.” How I wish we can have this Marathon event for some days in Lagos,? I want to commend the organisers for doing a great job and I wish again that we should continue to have it every year after our dear Governor Ambode might have left the office” she said.

PM EXPRESS reports that runners, spectators defied rain for Lagos Marathon In spite of downpour in the early hours of Saturday in the city.

Asides winning a prize, the greatest joy in today’s Access Bank Lagos City marathon is participation. About 100,000 runners took part in this year’s race.

At a time of 2 hours 17 minutes 26 secs, Ethiopian Sintayehu Legese braced the tape to win stop the dominance of Kenyan runners who have been winning the race since the first edition.

The 29-year -old Ethiopian beat Kenyan Joshua Kipkorinr (2:18:16) to the top prize of $50,000. Joshua will receive the sum $40,000.

Meseret Dinke of Ethiopia won the women’s race in 2:48:02 ahead of her compatriots Alemnesh Herpa and Kabena Chala.

Goyet Gideon was the first Nigerian male runner to brace the tape. Iliya Pam and Tokbe C. Gwet finished in second and third place respectively among Nigerian men.