Access Bank Lagos Marathon: High Altitude Club coming with 30 athletes

The chief coach of High Altitude Athletics Club of Jos Steven Nuhu, has revealed that 30 athletes of 15 men and 15 women will be storming Lagos ahead of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon.

The marathon, scheduled for February 11, will see the country’s best competing against their counterparts from around the world.

Nuhu said the athletes have been preparing well and are rearing to go as he looks forward to some of them breaking into the top 10.

“Although the athletes were not camped, they have been participating in several marathon competitions which has put them in top shape,” he said.

“This year will be better than last year because from the competitions so far, the athletes have improved on their time, and that means we are going to do much better.

“I submitted a list of 30 athletes [15 males and 15 females] although the organisers said they might trim down the number, but all of them will definitely be part of the race.

“I have confidence in the ability of the athletes to, at least, break into the top 10 international, that’s overall. We failed to achieve that last year but we are working hard to do that this year.”

He added that he was not going to give any number or calling names of those he believes would be among the top 10, but he said his expectation will be to see more than one breaking into the top ten.

He further revealed that the athletes will be in Lagos before February 9 to train and also get acclimatised to the Lagos weather.

Phillibus Sharubutu was the best Nigerian male at the first edition of the marathon while Oluwaseun Olamide was the best female, although both failed to break into the overall top 10.

Meanwhile, the Executive Director of Africa Business Round Table, West Africa Region Dotun Ajayi, has commended the governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode and the sponsor of Access Bank Lagos City Marathon Access Bank for reviving the culture of exercise and running in Lagos State.

Ajayi, who picked up his form of participation for the forthcoming second Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, said exercise promotes healthy lifestyle and longevity.

“There are a lot of benefits, Nigerians should always engage in one form of exercise or the other to promote longevity, I commend Governor Ambode and Access Bank for this good initiative,” he said.

Ajayi who visited the marathon office on Friday said engaging in sports would reduce a lot of health issues in the country.

“I am a late comer just trying to have my lifestyle changed towards a more productive and healthy lifestyle. I was guilty of not engaging in exercise but I now know better.

“I have done a lot of reading and I have realised that it should be a way of life for everybody, they should make exercise a way of life,” he said.

Ajayi said he was grateful to the organisers for sponsoring the marathon, saying that it would also promote tourism and create jobs for people.

“I know that it is also the sponsors’ corporate responsibility but it would go a long to promote foreign exchange in terms of tourism.

“People all over the world have made running a way of earning an income, so it is a positive trend for Nigerians.

“I urge the organisers and sponsors to continue with the trend in order to promote a healthy lifestyle, create jobs and showcase the country to the world through tourism,” he said.

The 42km race is scheduled for this Saturday.