President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN, Tonobok Okowa says there is no limit to opportunities for Nigerian athletes to develop and excel in all races including the marathons.
Speaking ahead of the prestigious International road running event tagged “Access Bank Lagos City Marathon,” Okowa welcomed it as another opportunity for Nigeria to show capacity in staging a world class road running event.
“There is no end to learning and we have learnt a lot from the organisation of this year’s event, starting with the conference that brought renowned experts from across the globe.
Okowa who also commended the organisers for efforts so far added that there’s still more to learn at the race proper.
“I personally have learnt so much and look forward to tomorrow with a view to bringing it to bear on development of athletics in Nigeria “
Similarly, former Olympian and Commonwealth long jump champion, Yusuf Ali who gave some technical insights on the race, highlighted the imperative of the iconic Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as part of the itinerary in the 2026 edition.
“The Lagos-Calabar Coastal road represents a positive as the iconic infrastructure will surely boost the image of the country around the world following global attention that would be focused on the race.
“Okotie Eboh conceived the idea of a coastal road in the 1950s. For it to come to reality now is something we must be proud of and flaunt to the rest of the world,” concludes Yusuf Ali who is also the General Manager of the Marathon.
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Meanwhile, the organisers of the gold-labelled Lagos City Marathon have also described the 11th edition of the race scheduled for Saturday, February 14, 2026, as iconic, marking the beginning of a new decade for one of Africa’s most prestigious road racers.
Speaking at a media conference to herald the commencement of the race, the Managing Director of Nilayo Sports Management, Yetunde Olopade, said the 2026 edition represents growth, resilience and renewed ambition for the marathon.
Olopade assured runners, partners and spectators of a top-notch race that will further consolidate the marathon’s status and international standing.
Adding his voice, the President of the International Association of Ultra Runners, Nadeem Khan, described the growth of the marathon over the years as remarkable, applauding the organisers and stakeholders for their vision and execution.
The 2026 edition is expected to attract elite athletes from across the world, further reinforcing its status as one of Africa’s leading road races.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
