IOC top shot urges Lagosians to back Lagos City Marathon

A top official of the International Olympics Committee (IOC), Banji Oladapo, yesterday called on Lagosians to back the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon slated for February 6, 2016.

The race, which is the first in Lagos since 1985, will start at 7.30 am. Tagged Running from old to the New, the starting point is the National Stadium, Surulere, and finish point is Eko Atlantic, Victoria Island.

Oladapo, a member of the IOC Communications Committee said: “marathon is not just sports, it bigger than sports, it is way of life that encourage and promote healthier lifestyle, boost tourism and business and showcase host cities to a global audience thanks to live television coverage.”

Oladapo who is also the Vice President of International Table Tennis Federation envisage a situation whereby, with the support of Lagosians, the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon will grow big like Chicago Marathon.

“As a student in Chicago then, we used to watch the Chicago Marathon. Then, it was not a big deal, just a city race, but today the race now called the Bank of America Chicago Marathon contributes an estimated $254 million in total business to the city in 2014.

“I strongly believed that if Lagos with an estimated population of 20 million gets behind this marathon, it has the potential to contribute millions of naira to the Lagos economy,” he said.

Apart from the economic benefits of marathon to Lagosians, Oladapo believes it would encourage Lagosians to embrace the culture of running, which enhances healthy living, and boost tourism.