Lagos City Marathon’s success thrills Okpekpe Race organisers

Organisers of the prestigious Okpekpe 10km Road Race have congratulated the Lagos State government on the successful organisation of the first Access Bank Lagos City Marathon last Saturday in Lagos.

Owner of Okpekpe Road Race, the only IAAF labelled road race in Nigeria, Mike Itemuagbor, believes Lagos State, particularly the governor, Akinwunmi Ambode and chairman of Lagos State Sports Commission, Deji Tinubu, have succeeded in putting Lagos on the map of the world, as one of the destination areas as far as international marathons are concerned.

He urged the organisers of the Lagos City Marathon to build on the successes they have recorded in this first edition, adding that the Lagos Marathon and the Okpekpe 10km Road Race can help nurture that culture of long distance running that was aborted following the controversy that trailed the last full marathon held in Lagos in the 1990s.

Apart from the athletics and tourism benefits that can be derived from the organisation of the Lagos City Marathon, Itemuagbor also wants the government to promote the health benefits inherent in running long distance road races as well as use the marathon to promote specific purposes or events or projects.

“The health benefits in running a marathon or any road race are huge. Beyond helping you to lose or maintain weight, there are lots of other health benefits,” said Itemuagbor.

“Running will strengthen your heart and ensure the efficient flow of blood and oxygen throughout your body, which helps decrease your risk of a heart attack,’’ he added.

Itemuagbor revealed, “we are using the fourth edition of the 10km Okpekpe Road Race on May 7 this year to promote cancer awareness among the rural women in the locality. I will like the organisers of the Lagos City Marathon to have this in mind when planning for the second edition.”