Though the main act, the 2016 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, will not flag off until February 6, the main lead up activities to the first full international marathon in Nigeria in 30 years, Lagos City Marathon Expo, starts today at the Teslim Balogun Stadium.

First of its kind in Nigeria, Marathon Expos are integral of big races worldwide with major marathons like New York, Dubai, London, Boston, Chicago, Tokyo, Berlin drawing thousands of vendors and exhibitors annually.

The theme of the Lagos City Marathon is Hospitality, Wellness and Wellbeing.

Over the weekend, some of the exhibitors were seen mounting their stands in readiness for the Expo.

Corporate organisations and government bodies expected at the Expo include Access Bank, the title sponsor of Lagos City Marathon, Gsk, Ladel’s Baby Centre, Airtel, another sponsor of the marathon, Food Clique, Oniru Family, Eko Hotel, Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, SuperSport and a host of others.

The Lagos City Marathon head of Events and Ceremony, Tayo Popoola, said the aim of the marathon is to bring all the stakeholders in the health, wellness, and wellbeing industry together to promote a healthier Nigeria,

“The essence of the Lagos City Marathon is not just about elite athletes, economic benefits, showcasing Lagos to the world and other good benefits that marathon will bring to Lagos and Nigeria; more than these, we also aim to promote the culture of running, which scientists have proved to be beneficial to the human body.