Lagos State, the host State for the 3rd Glo Lagos International Half Marathon, has pledged its full support for the race coming up on the 5th and 12th of December 2009.

 

Speaking over the weekend, the State’s Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development, Prince Ademola Adeniji-Adele, said that Lagos International Half Marathon has become a very important part of the new Lagos Mega City, saying that Lagos State will bring its power, men and resources to bear on the organisation of the event.  “We hope to make this Half Marathon a world-class event, run in a world-class city. This is also our event”, he said.

 

He assured that the state will put in men and resources to ensure that the race meets all international standards while also showcasing Lagos as a tourist destination.

 

Reports from the registration and information desks of the marathon have also indicated that Nigerians are already showing excitement and expectation towards the December event. The official website of the race, which recorded over 11,000 hits in the first 12 days of October, showed an average of 250 runners registering per day since the site opened for registration.

 

Some of those who are making enquiries about the next marathon predicated their interest on their experience at the previous edition.

 

“I must commend you for a wonderful, well-organized and lucrative marathon race for Nigerians. I was one of the runners last year. It was a thrilling experience”, Seye Jacob, participant in the 2nd edition, wrote.

 

According to the organisers, online registration for the marathon has already started at www.glolagosmarathon.com and will close on November 30. Forms may also be obtained from any Gloworld shop or sports council offices country-wide.

 

 At a press conference in Lagos recently, the telecoms giant announced that there would be special prizes for the first three Nigerian male and female winners in the race. The Nigerian winners will be given N2,000,000 each, second placed Nigerians (male/female) will receive N1,000,000 each,  while the third placed Nigerians (male/female) will receive N750, 000 each. All those who finish the race will also receive goody bags.

 

Globacom’s Head of Sponsored Assets, Mrs. Modele Sarafa-Yusuf said giving cash prizes to the Nigerian winners is to further motivate Nigerians. “It is our hope that Nigerians will win the first level prizes totaling $210,000 but we are also tempering our optimism with reality as we know that road racing is a developing sport in the country. We hope that this will motivate Nigerian runners to take up road-racing as a serious sport and we plan to continue working with AFN to develop the sport”, she said.