From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
No fewer than 60 local and foreign runners will jostle the grab the $80,000 (about N48 million) prize reward in the maiden edition of the Abuja International Marathon.
Speaking at an event to herald it in Abuja on Tuesday, the Project Coordinator, Femi Abegunde, said that the Marathon will 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 kilometer 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. Abuja is like a beautiful shop, which is closed. This even could have been on since 2021 if not for the health pandemic that ravaged the whole world,” he said.
Equally speaking during the press conference to usher in the event, Media Head, Olukayode Thomas, said the benefits will surpass it as Nigeria and FCT stands to gain more than the prize money through the visitors that will throng the country.
“The event goes beyond prize money as hotels, restaurants, taxi drivers, retailers of goods and other business owners will benefit a lot,” he said.
Olukayode further disclosed that New York Marathon alone attracted more than $400 million into the economy, adding that the prize money may not be more than $1 million but will bring more than $400 million every year.
He disclosed that prizes will be given to the medium that provided the best media coverage, before and during the event in 11 categories.
In attendance at the event include Managing Director of organizing company, Unicentral, Mrs. Ogunfumiloro Suzana, a representative of the National Assembly, Senator Ayo Akinyelure, representative of the FCT Minister, Lucas Istafanos, and host other dignitaries.