The Lagos Marathon exercise has come and gone but the memory shall remain vivid in our hearts. The event was filled with glitz and glamour as participants came from all over the world to be part of the event.
Kenyan born French athlete, Kiprotich Abraham breast the tape in two hours, 13 minutes, four seconds to emerge winner of the third edition of Access Bank Lagos City Marathon on Saturday, carting away the grand prize of $50,000.
Abraham’s time set a new Lagos Marathon record, three minutes better than the record set by his fellow compatriot, Abraham Kiptum in the second edition of the 42km annual tourney held last year.
Kenyan duo of Ronny Kipkoech Kiboss and Benjamin Bitok came second and third finishing in two hours, 13 minutes and 26 seconds and two hours, 13 minutes and 29 seconds, winning $40,000 and $30,000 USD respectively.
In the female category, it was a clean sweep by Ethiopia as the trio of Alemenesh Herpha Guta, Tigst Girma Getayechew and Ayelu Abebe Hordofa came first, second and third to win $50,000, $40,000 and $30,000 USD respectively.
Iliya Pam was the first Nigerian to finish the 42km race in two hours, 40 minutes, 16 seconds to win N3million, while Sharubutu Philbus came second in two hours, 54 minutes and 16 seconds to win N2million and Kefas Williams also got on the medals table finishing third in a time of two hours, 58 minutes, 16 seconds to win the third prize of N1million.
There were also prizes for Nigerians in the newly introduced 10km race, which saw Sajo Ismaila (male) and Ona Salay (female) drive home a brand new saloon car each and other mouth watering prizes.
The 42km race started at the National Stadium, Surulere by 6:30am and ended at the Eko Atlantic City in Victoria Island, while the 10km race also began from Osborne and terminated also at the Eko Atlantic City with over 100,000 athletes battling for the various prize monies.
The wife of Governor, her Excellency Bolanle Ambode congratulated all the participants and the winners as she presents prizes to them
Dignitaries who graced the marathon include Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung;, his counterpart in Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; representative of Chief of Army Staff, Major General David Amadu; General Officer Commanding 81 Division, Major General, Enobong Okon Udoh; President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick; ex-Super Eagles International, Austin Jay Jay Okocha; British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Paul Arkwright, among others.
Wife of the governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode presenting a cheque to Miss. Herpha Guta, winner of the female 42 kilometer marathon during the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon at Atlantic City on Saturday, 10th February, 2018.
Wife of the governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode (L); deputy governor of Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule (3rd right); British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Paul Arkwrigh (r); and the three female winners; Miss. Herpha Guta (3rd left), Girma Getecw (2nd right) & Abebe Hordof (2nd left), during the presentation of prizes to the winners of the female 42 kilometer marathon at the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon at Atlantic City on Saturday, 10th February, 2018.
Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (m), his wife, Bolanle (2nd left); deputy governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule (L); Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung (2nd right); GMD. Access Bank Plc, Mr. Herbert Wigwe (r); and the winners of 20 & 10 kilometers respectively, Miss Damilola & Bimpe Oluwaseyi, during the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon at Atlantic City on Saturday, 10th February, 2018.
Pix 3656: Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (m), his wife, Bolanle (L); Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung (r); and winners of the 20 & 10 kilometers marathon respectively, Miss Damilola & Bimpe Oluwaseyi, during the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon at Atlantic City on Saturday, 10th February, 2018.
