ECOWAS marathon director appeals for support

Abuja International Marathon

Organisers of the 2023 ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon have assured Nigerians that they will deliver a world-class race at the event billed for the Federal Capital Territory on December 16.

Race Director, Gabriel Okon, said in Abuja at the weekend that the event has been generating interest from runners and marathon enthusiasts across the region, adding, however, that they need support from all stakeholders in the event, including residents of the FCT.

As part of the measures to ensure that participants and residents of Abuja have a memorable experience, the Race Director and other functional managers, including officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO), embarked on a route tour to identify areas that will be closed permanently for the four hours that the race will last and areas that will be partially closed.

Okon disclosed that the half marathon will start in front of the ECOWAS Commission at 7.00 a.m., while the five-kilometre fun race will start at Banex Plaza.

He advised runners to get to the starting points before 6.00 a.m. on race day, December 16, 2023, because “once its 6.00 a.m., Thomas Sankara Street and the Yakubu Gowon Crescent will be totally blocked, there will be partial closure on Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway, but the roads will be blocked from Banex Plaza to the Vehicle Park behind the Eagles Square and the Federal Secretariat.”

The Race Director urged residents of FCT, especially those who live along the route, to come out en masse to cheer the runners, just as he appealed for the cooperation of residents with the organisers, especially those who intend to go out on the race day.

Okon said: “The good