The 2020 edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon is guaranteed to be a spectacular one following the assurances given by the organizers and sponsors alike at a media parley held Wednesday at the Press Center at the Lagos State secretariat, Alausa.
Bukola Oloapade Managing Director of Nilayo Sports Management Ltd and the consultant to the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon confirmed the new status of the Lagos Race which has now been accorded a Silver Label and he thanked everyone that has contributed to the huge success.
“I am very glad about the success we have recorded as far as the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon is concerned, I remember when we wanted to start this journey four-five years ago, not many gave us a chance to succeed but under five years we have become the first marathon that has been given a Silver Label,” Olopade noted.
“We are very grateful to the Lagos State Government for it’s unflinching support, our headline sponsor Access Bank as well as the other sponsors who have all been unrelenting, I can assure you that we would not be reduced on the standards we have already set but instead, expect an even better race in 2020,” the former Ogun States Sports Commissioner assured.
Olopade also announced that the sponsors have already purchased over 50,000 forms for runners.
The Government of Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu purchased the lion share of 30, 000 forms to be given to Lagosians for free, 7up Bottling Company, 5,000 forms, RevolutionPlus 2,500 while other sponsors complete the list.
Olopade further disclosed that a good numbers of Nigerians have independently paid to be part of the fifth edition of the Lagos marathon
On his part, Ameachi Okobi, Head, Communications & External Affairs at Access Bank Plc said the bank is very happy to be part of the success story that the Lagos Marathon has become.
He said: “We have found this platform incredible not just in terms of return on investment but we are helping to change the narrative of Nigeria and even Africa that something good and worthwhile can indeed come from this part of the world.
“When you think about a marathon, so many things come to mind, the road, security, the runners and other things but since first edition till the fourth one, the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon has not recorded any major incidence and that is not a mean feat.
“I can boldly say this marathon is now a major fixture in every serious runner’s calendar so it means we are doing a lot of things right and we can only get better.”
Sola Aiyepekun, the chairman of Lagos State Sports Commission reiterated the support of the state government for the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, as he noted that the event has manifold positive effects and benefits.
He said: “I am proud to be part of the first Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, I must say I am even more happy that it has grown bigger than we ever imagined in less than five years”
“Lagos State will always support events like this, apart from helping improving tourism, the youth in the state now look forward to this annually.
“I must commend Nilayo Sports Management Limited because they have helped revived the culture of marathon and it is now spreading across Nigeria”
Yusuf Alli, the General Manager for the Marathon confirmed that a good number of Gold and Silver Label runners have been confirmed for the 2020 edition of the Access Bank Lagos City billed for February 8.
