ECOWAS marathon director assures of world-class race
Organisers of the 2023 ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon have assured Nigerians that they will deliver a world-class race at the event billed for the Federal Capital Territory on December 16.
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Race Director, Gabriel Okon, said in Abuja at the weekend that the event has been generating interest from runners and marathon enthusiasts across the region, adding, however, that they need support from all stakeholders in the event, including residents of the FCT.
As part of the measures to ensure that participants and residents of Abuja have a memorable experience, the Race Director and other functional managers, including officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO), embarked on a route tour to identify areas that will be closed permanently for the four hours that the race will last and areas that will be partially closed.
Okon disclosed that the half marathon will start in front of the ECOWAS Commission at 7.00 a.m., while the five-kilometre fun race will start at Banex Plaza.
He advised runners to get to the starting points before 6.00 a.m. on race day, December 16, 2023, because “once its 6.00 a.m., Thomas Sankara Street and the Yakubu Gowon Crescent will be totally blocked, there will be partial closure on Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway, but the roads will be blocked from Banex Plaza to the Vehicle Park behind the Eagles Square and the Federal Secretariat.”
The Race Director urged residents of FCT, especially those who live along the route, to come out en masse to cheer the runners, just as he appealed for the cooperation of residents with the organisers, especially those who intend to go out on the race day.
“The good news is that if we start the race by 7.00 a.m., by 10.00 a.m. we are done with both the half marathon and the five-km. So, we are appealing to residents for their cooperation” he stated.
“We will begin our route education in all the media this week, especially for those who live around the route and those who may have important business to transact around the area on race day.”
“As for runners, our kits distribution starts on Monday, December 11 to Friday, December 15 at the vehicle park behind the federal secretariat; runners apart from getting the running vests and number bibs, will also get a participant guide, which contains all the information they need to know especially about road closure, alternative routes, how to get to the start point on race day and where they could park their vehicles.”
Guardian/Jacinta A
