Celebrated runner, Klaus Westphal and many others will take part in the maiden edition of the Ile-Ife Heritage Marathon which will take place on Sunday.According to the Race Director, Adedayo Akinbode, preparations are in top gear to host a successful event.
“We are excited to confirm the participation of some world renowned marathoners for the first edition of Ile-Ife Heritage Marathon coming up onFebruary 4. Prominent among the runners are the Race Director of the Baobab Marathon in Burkina Faso, Dr. Christoff Lindenbeck and Professor Klaus Westphal, who once held the world record of running marathons in the most number of countries”, Adedayo noted.
“In terms of technical preparation, we adhered to the international standard by ensuring the 42.195km distance was measured by Solomon Abari, the only International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) certified route recorder in Nigeria.
“We have also received strong assurances from the Nigerian Police in Osun State for adequate protection of lives and property in and around areas where the marathon race will hold. This gives the expected visitors some level of confidence as to their security.
“The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and all key government agencies are working together with us to achieve a successful outing, while students of the Obafemi Awolowo University would as act volunteers. The organising committee will be happy to see Ile-Ife people come out to cheer runners as they take a tour of Ile-Ife,” she explained
“We are excited to see our desire to stage a destination marathon and showcase to the world, the rich cultural heritage of the Yoruba race become reality’’, the race director added.
Adedayo added that the Organising Committee members are ultimately grateful for all the support received from the Government of the State of Osun led by Governor Rauf Aregbesola and the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi towards the hosting of the destination marathon.
The race which provides a veritable platform for the initiator of the Ile-Ife Heritage Marathon to give back to the society that nurtured and molded her between the ages of 15 and 20 when she was an Engineering Student of the then University of Ife is expected to become a runners delight.
The event is being packaged by Ile-Ife Heritage Marathon Organisation [IHMO] and will also showcase the tourism potential of the town.
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