The maiden Abuja City International Marathon has been scheduled for Oct. 2, Bukola Olopade, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nilayo Sports Management Ltd., disclosed on Monday.
Olopade said in a statement that the Abuja City International Marathon was a race that would excite Nigerians and athletes alike.
“The race is going to be a world-class event, given the precedence with the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon and other races across the country.”
He said discussions had been concluded with a telecommunications company and a financial institution for the event’s sponsorship, disclosing that the unveiling of their sponsors and partners would soon hold.
Olopade said also that the route of the Abuja City International Marathon had been measured and calibrated by a World Athletics Grade ‘A’ measurer, Norrie Williamson, since 2018.
“Williamson was the measurer of the marathon routes of four Olympic Games —- Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000, Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008 —- and several other iconic cities marathons.
”He described the point-to-point route of Abuja City International Marathon as one of the best he has measured around the world.
“Abuja is an amazing city with a lot of exciting sights. This is the reason why we are particular about making the race an international marathon that will attract the cream-de-la-crème of road running across the world.
“We are working on this project with the World Athletics, Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development. We are set to put Abuja on the world map,” he said.
