AFN certifies routes as Coal City Half Marathon draws near

Officials of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) on Monday completed the inspection and certification of routes mapped out for the first Enugu International Half Marathon, also known as Coal City Marathon.

The AFN team, who arrived in the state over the weekend, went through the routes marked for the 21-kilometre half marathon, and at the end of their call described the new addition to Nigeria’s athletics calendar as a project that would help the country’s athletics development.

The Enugu State Government had earlier announced total prize money of $20,000 (N7.2 million) and other consolation prizes for winners at the coming event.

AFN’s technical Director, Sunday Omotayo Adeyeye, who led the AFN inspection team, described the route marked for the marathon as one of the most crafty he had ever seen, adding that such would reinforce the credibility of the new sporting event.

Adeyeye, who highlighted the importance of marathons in sports development and healthy living, urged the Enugu State government to work harder towards ensuring that the new sporting property rose in prominence for eventual listing in the global athletics calendar.

Earlier in his address, Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Enugu State, Joe Udedi said the state embarked on the project to reinforce its status as a leader in Nigeria’s athletics history.

Recalling the exploits of the likes of Davidson and Osmond Ezinwa, Udedi said Enugu State had in the past produced athletes that went on to make Nigeria proud at global events, including the Olympic Games, adding that Governor Ugwuanyi’s administration initiated the Coal City Marathon to showcase the state’s capacity in sports, culture and hospitality.