From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
No fewer than 60 local and foreign runners will jostle for $80,000 (about N48 million) prize reward in the maiden edition of the Abuja lnternational Marathon.
Speaking at an event to herald it in Abuja, the Project Coordinator, Femi Abegunde, said that the Marathon would debut in the Nigeria’s capital city on December 17 this year with runners from all over the world participating.
Abegunde further stated that the foreign athletes will be joined by the local runners for the 42 kilometre race, which will begin from the City Gate through the interesting parts of the FCT and end at the Eagles Square.
“The winner among the 60 runners (local and foreign) will go home with $80,000. The desire to create an Abuja international Marathon is to showcase the City, attract investors, boost tourism and the economy as it is done in other world commercial cities like London and New York.
“Our desire is to create a Marathon that can compete with the best anywhere in the world.