Sports
2nd Access Bank Marathon: Plateau Coach Targets International Category
As athletes prepare for the
2nd Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, Stephen Nuhu, a Plateau long distance coach, says his target is to have his runners finish among the top 10 in the international category.
The second edition of the 42km race is scheduled for February 11, 2017.
Nuhu told newsmen in Lagos that finishing among the top 10 meant that they could compete favourably among their peers, especially the East Africans.
Nuhu, who coaches some of Nigeria’s best distance runners like Emmanuel Gyang and Deborah Pam, said that with luck on his athletes’ side, they would do better than at the maiden edition.
He said that his athletes had commenced training and were committed.
“We already know that it is an annual event, so, we have started training. We hope to be among the first 10 in the international category.
“We didn’t achieve this feat in the maiden edition because Gyang could not finish the race and Pam didn’t feature due to injury. We hope to do better in 2017.
“We have started series of training and I pray that luck will smile on them,’’ he said.
Asked about what makes his athletes successful, Nuhu said the high altitude and training contributed were responsible.
“I hear that a lot of people have been asking what makes my athletes successful; the simple truth is the high altitude and training we have in Plateau.
“We make use of what we have, which is to our advantage,’’ he said.
He also appealed to philanthropists to come to the aid of long distance runners to achieve good performance internationally.
“We need support because we train once in a day, we do not have funds to train twice or thrice like the Kenyans and Ethiopians. They need good food and vitamins,’’ he said.
The Bayelsa State government, yesterday, announced that the marathon will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
The inaugural race is owned by the Bayelsa State Government and will be organised by Nilayo Sports Management Limited, a sports management company.
Under the theme “The Reveal,” the race represents a bold unveiling of Bayelsa’s immense human and cultural potential to the international community, inviting the world to witness the resilience, grit, and talent rooted in the heart of the Niger Delta.
According to the organisers, the race will be flagged off at 9:30 a.m., at the Opolo Roundabout, guiding participants through a carefully designed 10-kilometre route that highlights the scenic beauty and vibrant atmosphere of Yenagoa.
The course will culminate at Peace Park Square, where athletes will cross the finish line into a grand celebration of endurance, unity, and community spirit.
To elevate the experience for runners and spectators alike, the finish venue will host a high-energy post-race concert featuring performances from top A-list artistes, blending sport and entertainment in a festival-style atmosphere.
The organisers directed all registered participants to collect their race bibs and kits at the designated Peace Park Square between March 30 and April 3, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.
The race, according to them, is currently on track for World Athletics accreditation, underscoring the commitment of both the Bayelsa State Government and Nilayo Sports Management Limited to delivering an event that meets the highest global standards.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, on Friday continued the Commission’s nationwide appreciation tour with a visit to Abeokuta, where outstanding junior athlete, Majekodunmi Afusat Bisola, was presented with a cheque of N3 million.
The presentation forms part of the NSC’s initiative to recognise and reward exceptional junior athletes who distinguished themselves in 2025 and contributed significantly to Nigeria’s medal haul.
Majekodunmi delivered an impressive run of performances on the track. At the last edition of the National Sports Festival, she stormed to gold in the 400m and the 4x400m relay. She replicated the double triumph at the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Junior Championship, in Abeokuta, before emerging as one of the standout stars at the African Youth Games in Luanda, Angola.
Speaking during the presentation, Olopade explained that the Commission deemed it necessary to extend financial appreciation to grassroots athletes after elite performers had earlier received grants running into thousands of dollars.
“A few weeks ago, after paying grants to our elite athletes, we agreed tthere was a need to also appreciate these young, budding talents who made Nigeria proud last year,” he said.
He disclosed that of the 376 medals recorded by Nigerian athletes in 2025, more than 200 were won by grassroots talents, underscoring the importance of sustained investment in youth development.
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