November 05, (THEWILL) – Lagos State has completed all preparations for the 6th edition of the women’s marathon in Sub-Saharan Africa, dubbed “Lagos Women Run,” which will take place on November 13th, 2021.
Olusola Aiyepeku, Chairman of the Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC), stated this at a press conference held at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere, stressing that the inclusion of women in all sectors is a fundamental goal of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu’s administration.
Aiyepeku announced that 3,850 women have signed up for the upcoming women’s marathon, thanking the event’s coordinator, Mrs. Tayo Popoola, for coming up with the idea as part of efforts to improve women’s inclusion in all sectors, as well as stating that the event has attracted many sponsors and grown in popularity since its inception a few years ago.
The LSSC chairman said: “The number of sponsors has grown from what we had in the previous editions. I hope to continue to see this type of growth not only in sponsors but also in more investment to grow the capacity, utility and strength of the race, I want to see the event on the global map so that Lagos Women Run will be a calendar event in international circuits and globally.”
Popoola, the General Coordinator of Lagos Women Run, explained that the 2021 Marathon will have a unique twist, as it will start on the mainland at the National Stadium and end at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Onikan, as opposed to the norm of starting on the island and running down to the mainland.
She claimed that the new plan would allow the race organisers to show the world the aquatic splendour of Lagos State, as well as its historical aesthetics and monuments, during the race, noting that reputable individuals, particularly women from various walks of life, have expressed interest in and willingness to identify with the Lagos Women Run marathon.
Popoola further stated that COVID-19 safety measures will be strictly followed both before and during the race, and that participants from foreign nations will be required to take a COVID-19 test before competing.
“We will ensure that women who have come in from other countries perform all COVID -19 protocols, including running a test to ensure their safety and that of every other person. They will be quarantined before participating in the race. To also ensure safety procedures, these women’s interactions with others will be reduced to the barest minimum”, she said.
Akinpelu Ayuba, Assistant Controller, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Lagos Central, spoke about the runners’ schedule and stated that due care had been put in place to ensure that other road users were not inconvenienced during the marathon.
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Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
