Ahead of the Abuja International Marathon race slated for April 29, organizers have opened the 5km category for students who are 17 years or below to compete.
Speaking to the media in Abuja on Thursday, the FCT Director of School Sports, Adamu Hashimu, said the essence of the 5km race is to encourage the youths to embrace road races and marathons.
“Nigerians who are familiar with the performances of our people will remember that when the world record in the marathon was 2 hours: 08 minutes, Nigerians like Abass Mohammed and Yohanna Waziri were running 2 hours 14 hours, a very good time that has won about seven editions of the Lagos Marathon.
“In the FCT Sports Department, we have our own Hulda Nwokocha who once placed 5th in the marathon at the World Universities Games.
“So, we need to start a development program that see our students especially those from the northern part of Nigeria, who have similar physiological traits with Kenyans and Ethiopians, to embrace the culture of marathon and road races at a tender age”
The Abuja International Marathon, the first international marathon in Abuja and FCT will hold on April 29, 2023.
The race is in three categories: the 5km Students Race, the 10km Family Run and the 42.195 km Full Marathon.
The race will start at the City Gate and end at Eagles Square.
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