Athletics
Runners Collect Kits Today for ECOWAS Marathon
Registered runners for the 2025 ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon will start collecting their running kits this Thursday, when the Marathon Expo begins at the Federal Secretariat Car Park, Eagles Square, Abuja.
The 2025 ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2025. There will be two races: the half-marathon and the 5-kilometer fun race.
The half marathon will start at the ECOWAS Commission, while the 5 km will start at the Independence Bridge near Sahad Stores and finish at the ECOWAS Commission.
According to Race Director Gabriel Okon, running bibs and vests must be collected at the VIO Container Booth, Federal Secretariat Car Park, Eagle’s Square, Abuja, from February 20 to 28, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
Okon also revealed that participants may only collect their running bibs upon presentation of valid proof of identification.
However, participants wishing to have their running numbers collected on their behalf must provide the collector with an authority note, a copy of the completed entry form bearing their photograph, and a copy of their valid proof of identification.
Okon said collectors must show proof of their identity to collect the running kits. He revealed that registration is still open to all runners worldwide till February 28.
Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) can pick up physical forms at the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Package A, Abuja, the FCT Sports Council and the Area Councils.
On the ECOWAS race, Okon said, “As we are all aware, sport is a powerful tool for bringing people together, and this is no less the case in West Africa.
Apart from integrating West Africans, the ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon also encourages us—especially residents of FCT, which hosts the ECOWAS Commission—to embrace the culture of walking, jogging, and running, which has immense health benefits.
“The ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon, from its inaugural edition, has also been a powerful tool of youth empowerment and engagement; and it has had positive impacts on the FCT economy, especially the hospitality and allied industries and acts as a catalyst to boost tourism”.
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World Athletics delegates to the 10th edition of the Lagos City Marathon held on Saturday, February 15, 2025, have commended the organisational acumen, of Yussuf Alli, the General Manager of the Lagos City Marathon.
The World Athletics delegates to the Lagos City Marathon are Anna Molisova Air Quality Project Manager World Athletics, Olivia Meyonette Sweeney, Nadeem Kamm and Sadiq Sudan.
Speaking after the 10th edition of Africa’s biggest one-day sports event, the delegates were amazed by Alli’s organisational acumen in handling the technical aspects of the race. They admit it is at par with the technical organisation of the seven biggest marathons in the world—New York, Berlin, London, Boston, Chicago, Tokyo, and Sydney.
“The technical organisation of the marathon is at par with the best races in the world, we commend Alli and his fantastic team, they did a good job.”
The team also commended Alli for his brilliant idea of starting the race early which enabled the runner to run fast times despite the harsh weather.
“Despite the hot weather, the first runner still crossed the finish line in under 2 hours 15 minutes, if Alli had organised this race in Berlin or any city with friendly weather, the winner would probably finish in 2 hours, 2 minutes.”
Widely regarded as the godfather of marathons and road races in Nigeria, Alli made his name in sports as a jumper, sprinter and footballer.
His transition from field events to organizing and managing marathon road races and marathons shocked many including the World Athletics Road Running Manager Alessio Punzi.
When he visited Nigeria, Punzi was shocked that Alli he knew as a world-class jumper was the same Alli who was doing wonders in road races and marathons.
A major asset in the planning and organisation of iconic races like the MTN Marathon, Glo Marathon, We Run Lagos, Aba Marathon, Obudu Mountain Race, and many others, Alli organises and manages the two World Athletics Gold Label races in Nigeria: the Okpekpe 10 Km Road Race and the Lagos City Marathon.
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As Ogun State prepares to host the 22nd National Sports Festival, the State Commissioner for Sports Development, Wasiu Isiaka, has reiterated the importance of sports in youth development and nation-building.
He spoke at the inter-house sports of Remo Divisional High School in Sagamu at an event marking the 60th Founder’s Day anniversary of the school.
The National Sports Festival, coming up in less than three months from now is expected to bring together athletes from across the country.
They will be a showcase of Nigeria’s sporting talents and a celebration of unity, friendship, and healthy competition.
L-R -Chairman Sports Committee Femi Solaja, President General, Remo Divisional High Old Student Association, Ogun State Commissioner for Sports Development, Hon. Wasiu Isiaka, Special Adviser to the Governor on Education and Chairperson of the 60th Anniversary of RDHS, Hon Ronke Soyombo and Chairman Board of Trustee, Mofopefoluwa Joseph MFR at the Interhouse Sports of RDHS school ground yesterday in Sagamu.
The festival will feature various sports, including track and field, swimming, and basketball.
Speaking at the 60th Founders’ Day Anniversary celebration of Remo Divisional School Sagamu, Commissioner Isiaka emphasised the significance of hosting the festival, stating, “This festival represents much more than just track and field competitions: it signifies our determination to create a robust sports ecosystem throughout Ogun State.”
He noted that the state government’s commitment to youth and sports development is evident in various initiatives aimed at engaging young people.
“We recognise that sports play a critical role in building character, fostering teamwork, and nurturing future leaders,” he explained.
Commissioner Isiaka also commended the alumni of Remo Divisional School for their contributions to the institution and the community, saying, “Your commitment to giving back to your roots not only enriches our community but also positively impacts society and our government.
“Your contributions are invaluable and serve as a testament to the strong foundation that this institution has established over the years.”
The commissioner urged the current students at Remo Divisional School to take advantage of the resources available to them, including sports, to become well-rounded individuals and responsible citizens.
He advised, “Learn not just from your textbooks, but from your involvement in activities like sports, the arts, and community service. These experiences will help shape you into well-rounded individuals and responsible citizens.”
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Organisers of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, Nilayo Sports Management Company Limited, have announced ValueJet as its official Airline partner for the 10th Anniversary of the Race.
ValueJet which is one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing indigenous Airlines has joined a long list of partners who are making sure the Lagos City Marathon maintains its status as Africa’s biggest road race.
As organisers of the race expect to welcome over 4000 international Athletes and 400 Elite Athletes from all over the World, Valuejet is expected to bring its cutting-edge aviation experience to bear.
Chief Executive Officer of Nilayo Sports Management Company Limited, Mrs Yetunde Olopade, said the partnership with Valuejet is a massive achievement for the race and it only shows how increasingly confident Corporate Nigeria is in the Lagos City marathon.
” We all know that Valuejet has been one of the biggest supporters of Nigerian Sports for some years now with all they have been doing with football and other sports so we are very excited to have them on board because we share a similar vision of elevating the standard of Nigerian Sports”.
” We are extremely proud and elated at Nilayo with this latest announcement of Valuejet as our Aviation partner. You know the Access Bank Lagos city marathon has now become not only a household name in the calendar of Sports in Nigeria but on the continent and the World as a whole.
” This is the level of feasibility and stature the race has risen to, over the last ten years, and to have Valuejet now on board is a testament to the hard work of the last couple of years”.
ValueJet has now joined a growing list of partners that include the Lagos State Government, Access Bank, 7up, Airtel, Kia Motors, Casio, Premier Cool, Robb and Brila FM.
The Access Bank Lagos City Marathon is a gold-labelled race and its 10th Anniversary slated for the 15th of February 2025, is expected to bring together the biggest names in world athletics from Sports administrators to runners.
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