A s the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon marks its 10th edition on Saturday, organizers are setting their sights on a record-breaking finish time of two hours and 10 minutes, alongside securing the prestigious World Athletics platinum label. This milestone would make it the first marathon in Africa to achieve such a recognition.
Speaking at a symposium for accredited journalists at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos, General Manager of the race and Olympian Yusuf Ali emphasized the significance of this year's event in elevating its global standing.
Pushing for Platinum Recognition
Ali noted that extensive efforts have been made to meet all criteria required for the platinum label upgrade. “We are working to ensure a clean and well-organized finish. Currently, we have a strong lineup of elite runners, including seven gold label runners in the male category, two platinum label athletes, five gold label female runners, and one platinum label female athlete,” he stated.
The marathon has consistently improved since its inception in 2016, and the 10th anniversary promises to be a landmark edition. “Achieving the platinum label will set a new standard for African marathons,” Ali added.
Enhancing Race Quality
Addressing concerns raised in the previous editions, Ali assured that improvements had been made to ensure a smooth race. “Last year, there were issues with water distribution, which we have now resolved. We have also introduced pacers to enhance performance. There will be three pacers for the men’s category and one for the women’s category, each strategically placed to maintain an optimal race pace,” he explained.
To optimize the race, pacers will drop off at different checkpoints: one at 30km, another at 35km, and the last at 40km, ensuring a strong finish by the elite competitors.
Race Schedule and Expectations
The 42km marathon will kick off at 6:30 am from the National Stadium in Surulere, while the 10km race will commence at 9:30 am from the Grace Garden Event Centre in Lekki. Both races will conclude at Eko Atlantic City.
With the event already holding a World Athletics gold label, there is growing optimism that this year’s edition will meet the requirements for a platinum label. Last year, World Athletics Vice President Jackson Tuwei indicated that a comprehensive review of this year’s race would determine its eligibility for the upgrade.
As the marathon continues to grow in prominence, organizers remain committed to delivering a world-class event that will solidify its place among the best road races globally.
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