One of the organisers of the Abuja International Marathon, Mrs Joyce Bozimo said they are organizing the competition not only to engage athletes in their fields but also to boost the economic growth of the country especially the federal capital territory, FCT.
She stated this on Friday at the press conference to usher in the event which is slated to take place in Abuja on Saturday, the 29th of April, 2023.
Mrs. Joyce, who is the wife of former Minister of Police Affairs, Alaowei Broderick Bozimo also said the Marathon will promote tourism and culture, and people in that sector and others will make money from the influx of multitude that will grace the event.
She noted, “Hotels will make money. It will also boost economic growth of the state and Abuja is not an exception. We want peaceful co-existence among the athletes of our country and the ones from outside the country and that is what Marathon is all about.”
Meanwhile, 32 foreign/elite athletes from Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya, Bahrain are expected to participate in the Marathon event while over 100 Nigerian elite athletes are also expected to try their luck in the 12km, 10km, 5km and fun race.
The kick off time for the 12km race is 6am from the City Gate while those participating in the 10km are expected to start by 6.15am from Sani Abacha barrack.
The most interesting one to the organisers especially the FCT officials is the one involving students, which is a 5km race and it will commence simultaneously with the fun race. The fun race is for family and friends and it will start by 7am at Wuye. All races will end at the Eagles square.
The winners of the race will go home with $110,000 ($55,000 each for male and female).
Abuja International Marathon will be the third to be organized in the FCT, the first being the the Police/Globacom Marathon race while the second is the Anti-Corruption Marathon race.
