Over 1000 athletes are expected to take part in the maiden edition of the Ajegunle Youth Marathon on Saturday, November 30, the organisers have announced.
The event kickstarted with a VIP race ahead of the main race last Saturday in the community.
The 2.5-kilometer race which attracted important personalities including political leaders and celebrities was flagged off at the Ifelodun Local Council Development Area and terminated at the Ajeromi/Ifelodun Local Government secretariat.
Olu of Iwa and Apapa Kingdom, Oba Moroof Amodu-Tijani (Amore III), assisted by the vice-chairman of Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Area and Ifelodun Local Council Development Area, who represented their bosses; Fatai Ayoola and Olufemi Akani respectively, flagged off the race.
Oba Amodu-Tijani noted that Ajegunle is synonymous with sports and that the race is important because it will foster peace, unity and harmony amongst the various ethnic and diverse religious groups in the area.
“This marathon is important to us because it will help in spreading the gospel of unity and togetherness amongst the various ethnic groups that make up Ajegunle and we must thank the National Youth Council of Nigeria for coming up with this wonderful initiative,” he said.
Project leader of Ajegunle City Youth Marathon, Isaac Moses, gave insight into what to expect on Saturday.
“Right now we are expecting over a thousand runners and we’re receiving security assistance from Nigerian Police, Lagos Neighbourhood Agency, and the Federal Road Safety Commission.
“The Lagos State Ministry of Health will be sending two ambulances for precautionary measures. So, we are good to go. There will be free medical checks on high blood pressure, sugar level and HIV status while our volunteers are fully ready for the race.
Coordinator, National Youth Council of Nigeria, Ajeromi/Ifelodun Local Government Area, Isaac Omoleye, said the whole idea of the marathon is to promote fitness and healthy living as well as promote synergy among youths irrespective of age, religion and tribe.
“It’s important to state that the youths are the most viable assets to the growth and development of any nation and as such, the marathon will serve as a platform to harness the potentials of Ajegunle youths for meaningful youth engagement and also show Nigerians at large that the city apart from having talented footballers, musicians and artists equally boasts of good distance runners.”
The take-off point of Saturday’s race will be at the Maracana Stadium while the finish point is the Sports Ground of Nigerian Army Signals Barracks, Mile 2, Lagos.
