Wilfred Wiggle, a 65-year-old participant in the 42 km race at the 2024 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, shared profound insights and reflections on his marathon journey and the importance of physical activity for mental health.
Speaking in an interview with Sports 247, Wiggle revealed that his involvement in running dates back to his university days, underscoring the significant role it played in supporting his studies and mental well-being during challenging periods of joblessness.
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Running served as a form of therapy for Wiggle, helping him combat depression and maintain a positive outlook on life.
Having participated in various racing competitions globally, including marathons in the United Kingdom and the United States, Wiggle returned to Nigeria with a renewed focus on promoting physical activity and mental wellness.
With a background in biochemistry and nutrition, he recognized the intricate relationship between physical activity, nutrition, and mental health, advocating for their integration into daily life.
Despite encountering challenges with the organization of the marathon in recent years, Wiggle remained committed to participating, emphasizing the positive impact of such events on individuals’ physical and mental well-being.
He expressed a desire for the government to invest more in organizing sporting competitions to engage youth positively and help them discover and nurture their talents.
“One thing is clear, it keeps them from crime and makes them positive-minded so that anything they do, they do from a positive mindset and an angle of life and it makes them achieve their goal better because one clear thing is that they will be positive-minded and anything positive is bound to be good and anything negative is bound to be bad.
When they are in a positive mindset, they will achieve their goals, then they will be able to identify their talent and be able to use the talent for the benefit of the country and also for the benefit of the world.”
Wiggle’s profound insights underscored the transformative power of physical activity in enhancing mental health and well-being.
His advocacy for greater investment in sports and youth engagement resonates as a call to action for fostering a healthier, more vibrant society.
Through his marathon journey, Wiggle exemplifies the enduring spirit of resilience and determination in the pursuit of personal and societal wellness.
