Lagos City Marathon 2016 - Another Participant’s Experience
I participated in the Lagos City Marathon on February 6th 2016 not as a professional athlete but just an enthusiast that loves sports and run regularly. Running from National Stadium in Surulere to Eko Atlantic City, a total of 42.195 Kilometers. My experience left me with mixed feelings on a couple of issues such as knowledge of lagosians on preparing for marathon, level of experience and expertise of organisers and a different perspective of the people we generally call area boys in the Lagos.
Apart from my aching legs and data stored on apps on my mobile phone that I used in tracking my race, all I have to show that I participated in the marathon is blank certificate of participation that was given to me at the end of the race for me to write my name of it myself. This made me quite unhappy particularly when I got the information that participants of the marathon that were taken the finish line in comfortable buses (packed full) were given, medal, certificates and refreshment. See excerpt from article → http://thenet.ng/2016/02/hilarious-lagos-marathon-palaver-my-experience-by-comrade-yussuf-kelani%E2%80%8E/
I couldn’t hear anything again and suddenly I was looking at the clouds. Moments later I heard the words ‘O ti wa ok’ inside a BRT bus! I couldn’t lift any part of my body. The bus took us to the finishing line at 42.1KM inside Atlantic City, VI.
I received my medal, certificate and light refreshments. At the finishing point, we were informed the winner a Kenyan, emerged at 9.30am while we got there at 12.30pm. BRT buses conveyed us to our various destinations and I walked home like a 99 years old.
I finished the race after running / walking for about 5hrs and 59 minutes at about 1:30pm without any water from the advertised official refreshment points (every 5km). I was only able to complete the race because people that came out to cheer us were giving us pure water and bottled water at their own expense. I am not sure of who was in charge of the registration system but allowing 36,500 people to register up until 3 days before the date of the marathon is borderline irresponsible knowing you can’t accommodate everyone adequately. My colleague - Wale (that belongs to the same running group - pacers) summed it up properly here on the planning and suggestions → https://medium.com/@olawaleolabintan/the-lagos-marathon-a-participant-s-personal-experience-75b068c6d615#.jaa5x3l77
The experience taught me once again that I cannot rely on organizations, whether private or public to deliver a world class event. The organizers registered 36,500 participants and probably 20,000 runners started the marathon but catered for only 1,000. My running pace was about 7 minutes 20 seconds many runners before & after me did not get any water & energy drinks neither was there any sponging area to cool the body temperature down. We were simply left to our fate and for many people that did not have money on them; they suffered through the race and were left to the kindness of proactive spectators that provided pure water while many simply retired.
I had voiced my concern that since the event is free it may not be properly organized. Many people said but they have a big sponsor, it is pertinent to note that despite having big sponsors, Chicago & Dubai Marathons participants still pay $175 & $125 respectively in order to register.
Finally on my limping way home, I met a lady (Sade), and we got talking. I discovered that the longest distance she has ever done before Saturday is 5km. I couldn’t help but ask why she thought it was a brilliant idea but got no actual response. I noticed that she was not limping like the rest of us that actually finished the marathon and guessed she probably bused the marathon and who knows got a medal?
I am glad the marathon held to be honest, and I hope to participate next time depending on the level of coordination in the planning . A suggestion I have is that it shouldn’t be free. This should provide enough funds to cater for marathoners. Catering for 36,500 people is definitely a huge budget.
