All roads lead to Epe in Lagos State on 29 April when the 4th edition of Community Marathon Series will be held.
The Marathon Series will hold a 10km Road Race in the city of Epe as part of its effort to encourage marathon race among the people in the community and at the same time enhance their physical fitness.
Tagged “Run to Win or Run for Fun, the Epe 10km Road Race will bring together runners across the nook and crannies of the country to the ancient city of Epe in Lagos East Senatorial District.
With facilitating support from Larfarge, MultiChoice Nigeria, Amstel Malta, Pocari Sweat and endorsement from the Epe Local Government and the paramount ruler of Epeland, Oba Kamorudeen Ishola Animashaun, the Epe 10km Road Race promises to be glamorous more than the previous races from the stable of the Community Marathon Series which were held in FESTAC Town in Amowo Odofin, Lagos on 2 October, 2021, Lekki on 29 January, 2022 and Asaba on 17 December, 2022.
The Community Marathon Series (CMS) is an initiative of Lexicon Communications and Kukuruku Inc.
Independent News Express understands that the Community Marathon Series (CMS) is a fitness inspired wellness sporting project that is aimed at organizing series of road race events within the hinterlands of various communities in Africa.
It features both male and female athletes including elites in a 10km road race and half marathon consequently.
The maiden edition of the Community Marathon Series at FESTAC Town, Lagos, witnessed a huge turnout of athletes from across Nigeria and neighboring Africa countries. The event tagged “A Festival of Fitness” was won by Ismail Sajo from Cross Rivers State, while Jigak Monday and Emmanuel Gyang from Plateau State finished second and third respectfully.
For emerging champion, Sajo got a cash prize of N500, 000, a medal and a trophy. First runner-up Monday also got a medal, a trophy and a cash prize of N300, 000 and Gyang went home with N200, 000, a medal and also a trophy.
The first three female athletes were also awarded with the same medals, trophies and cash prizes while every participant also got a medal for their effort.
The event was flagged off by the Chairman Amuwo Odofin Local Government, Engineer Valentine Buraimoh. Other dignitaries include the Chief of Staff – Amuwo Odofin Local Government.
The second edition in Lekki, Lagos saw a repeat of the first edition with Ismail Sadjo of Cross River state and Joy Abiye David of Ondo State made it back-to-back victories.
Sadjo breasted the tape first in the male category, while Abiye David won the female event. Sadjo, who was listed as an elite runner, after the success he recorded at the Festac 10km Road Race, took the lead from the 2km spot of the race and held on to claim a cash prize of one million naira. Paul James emerged as the first runner-up, while Francis James bagged the second runner-up position.
Joy Abiye David of Ondo State picked the ultimate prize in the female category in a time of 35 mins. 24 secs, while the second and third positions went to the duo of Rose Akusho and Patience Mwanvwan of Plateau State respectively.
The race which featured over 2000 athletes as well as running clubs from all over the country including runners from Europe and some African countries was keenly contested from the start of the event to finish.
The third edition of the 10km road race took place Asaba, Delta State with participants from various states across the country and Cameroun. Ishmael Sadjo of Cross River state made it back-to-back, winning the race in the men’s category for the third time consecutively. Rose Akusho of Plateau State won the female category. Both Sadjo and Rose, who were listed as elite runners, after the success they recorded at the Festac and Lekki 10km road race, took the lead from the 2km spot of the race and held on to claim a cash prize of N500,000 each category.
Omoro Promise emerged as the first runner-up while Okechukwu Donatus bagged the second runner-up position.
