…Athletes jostle for $55,000, $110,00, N3 million prizes
By Raphael Ekpang
The much awaited. maiden Abuja International Marathon Race has kicked off on Saturday in the Federal Capital Territory FCT, Abuja. Most routes in the City will temporarily shut down for some hours.
About 32 foreign elite and over 100 local athletes are jostling for $55,000, $110,00 and N3 million prize money at stake.
Elite athletes from different countries across the globe like
Elite athletes from Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Bahrain who came in few days back are mong others ready to slug it out for the whooping $110,000 for the male and $55,000 in the female category respectively.
The full race (42km) which commences from City Gate at 6:00am will finish at the Eagles Square between 11am and 12 noon.
Mr Olukayode Thomas, the Marathon Director said: “The full marathon race will start from City Gate at 6am to Eagles Square but it is not a straight race. What we are trying to do is to showcase the beautiful part of Abuja to the world. The race will take place in the main landmark of Abuja, the National Assembly, Aso Villa, Federal Secretariat, Eagles Square will be shut down when the race is going on.
“We have three races in one, we have the 5km students’ race, this is for everybody but the prize money is for student only and must be below 17. Then we have the 10km for friends and family, then the full marathon which is meant for the professional for both international and local athletes. This will be a money spinning business for residents of FCT in the next five years.
“The Student/Children 5km race will start 6:15am from Zone 4 bridge/Sani Abacha bridge and end at Eagles Square. The 10km family fun race starts at Wuye bridge and terminate at Eagles Square,” he said.
Also, the Director of Sports, FCT Lukas Istifanus, who represented the FCT Administration, promised that the race will be unique and one of it’s kind, even as he assured that the nations capital is ready to host the Abuja event Nigerians will be proud of.
“Being the first time the FCT will be staging such a globally recognized event, all hands must be on deck for the success of the program. I want to assure you that, we are going to have a lot pleasant moment In Abuja,” he said.
