The Access Bank Lagos City Marathon has moved up the ladder from a Bronze Label marathon to a Silver Label marathon, less than five years after its maiden edition.
Olukayode Thomas, Head Communications and Media, said the good news was conveyed to the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon by IAAF Head of Road Races Alessio Punzi.
Thomas said: “The certificate for the new Silver Label status was sent over the weekend to Race Promoter Bukola Olopade and General Manager Marathon Yussuf Alli.”
The Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, which is unarguably the biggest one-day event in Africa from its inception in 2015 has been organized according to the standard of IAAF, the world governing body for athletics.
From the over 50,000 participants that took part in the first edition of the marathon, over 100,000 took part in the most recent edition that took place February 2019.
Reacting to the development, Olopade, said the feat would not have been possible without the backing of the Lagos State Government.
Olopade thanked the Lagos State Government for wholly believing in the noble idea and for offering full support financially, technically and in terms of security and logistics since inception
He expressed gratitude to the Headline Sponsor Access Bank as well as the partners including 7Up, Bet9Ja, Eko Atlantic, Kia Motors, Revolution Plus and others who have also joined the train to make the marathon the toast of the town.
Olopade also admitted that the media played a significant role in the success story of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon and he dedicated the latest Silver Label to Lagos State Government, Headline Sponsor Access Bank, other partners and members of the fourth estate for their selfless efforts to the course.