Abuja, Abeokuta marathons get dates

Nigeria’s foremost Marathon and Road Races organizing company, Nilayo Sports Management Company yesterday announced dates for the maiden editions of the Abuja City International Marathon as well as the Abeokuta City International Marathon.

The patent holder for the two races, Nilayo Sports Management Company announced that the Abuja City International Marathon would hold on October 13, while that of Abeokuta will hold on November 3.

According to Managing Director of Nilayo, Bukola Olopade, who also is the organizer of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, the Abuja International Marathon will be a full 42.192Km race that would start and end at the Eagles Square in Abuja.

He, however, stated that the Abeokuta Marathon on its part would be a 10km road race that would finish at the Alake’s Palace.

Olopade said: “The success that we have achieved with the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon in the last four years shows that Nigerians are in love with Marathons and Road Races and we at Nilayo intend to take the gospel of Marathons and Road Races to the nooks and crannies of Nigeria; that was why we acquired patents for Abuja and Abeokuta City races. We intend to move to other regions as fast as possible.”

He urged Corporate Nigeria and well-meaning individuals to embrace the sponsorship opportunities the new races billed for Abuja and Abeokuta will be offering.

The Nilayo boss said apart from encouraging tourism and other socio-economic benefits, the new marathon races for Abuja and Abeokuta have immense health benefits that come with running, walking and jogging.