The 9th Access Bank Lagos City Marathon is scheduled for Saturday, February 10, 2024, and over 81 elite runners who are Gold Label athletes have confirmed their participation.
There are 29 gold-label women runners among these over 81 elite runners. All things considered, the Lagos City Marathon’s general manager, Yusuf Ali, believes that the field of runners is extremely deep and elite, and that on February 10 there is a chance to break the course record.
Within the elite field of runners who will be competing in the 9th Lagos City Marathon, the United Nations has also confirmed the participation of 15 refugees, according to Chief Bukola Olopade, Chief Executive Officer of Nilayo Sports Management Limited, the race’s owners.
The 9th edition of the Lagos City Marathon is benefiting from the confirmation of over 81 elite Gold Label runners, according to the race’s general manager, who also held the long jump record for 27 years in Africa. This is especially true as the organizers gear up for the 10th edition, which has the best chance of elevating the race from Gold Label to Platinum Label.
“Our target is to ensure that our registered world class elite runners help propel the Lagos City Marathon to the Platinum Label. This is possible with the calibre of runners that will be on the field on February 10. If we can produce five elite runners crossing the finish line at 2 hours 8 minutes, we shall most definitely climb to the Platinum Label.”
“With the presence of a former world record holder like Denis Kipmeto on 2 hours 02 minutes and 57 seconds, Kelkile Gezahegan (Ethiopia) on 2 hours 05 minutes and 56 seconds, Kiptoo Edwin on 2 hours 06 minutes and 52 seconds and female runners like Valary Jemeli (Kenya) on 2 hours 19 minutes, there is a huge possibility that the status of the Lagos City Marathon will change at the end of this race on Saturday, February 10.”
It was also revealed that qualifiers for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris will be chosen at the 9th Lagos City Marathon.
He emphasized that this year’s 9th Access Bank Lagos City Marathon will be a spectacular race by all measures. He continued by saying that among other things, the World Athletics Organization will monitor air quality regulation at elite marathon competitions worldwide.