Lagos to host 10km mangrove marathon

Marathon race

Towards reducing further loss of the ecosystem, one of the leading environmental advocacy groups, Mangrove Marathon, will host a 10km Eco-run mangrove marathon in Lekki, Lagos.

Lagos is known for extensive coastlines that stretch along the Gulf of Guinea and is one of the 10 mangrove-bearing states with huge eco-tourism assets. Chidi said: “Saving the mangrove is our collective responsibility since they provide for our well being and livelihood in coastal communities. Sponsorship benefits from the marathon will be channeled toward notable mangrove conservation and forest recovery projects like Falcorp Mangrove park in Delta state, Ecopark mangrove sanctuary and research centre in Ibeju lekki, NCF green recovery project, institute of mangrove ecology, plant a mangrove project and MangroveeXpo.”

A heavily industrialised and populated Lagos needs mangroves to mop-up emitted carbon, protect the coastline and provide livelihood sustenance for millions of people. Mangrove marathon will be the rallying point for stakeholders to connect and collaborate to save the mangroves and other biodiversity hotspots in Lagos. Mangrove marathon Lagos 2023 comes up on July 29, to mark the international day for the conservation of the mangrove.”      The Secretary, Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the competition, David Omawumi, said there would be a need for Nigeria to start the construction of the great mangrove wall from Badagry to Bakassi to protect the coastline and the entire ecosystems from complete depletion.   “The marathon is a community-based initiative. The LOC is pushing the marathon to 21-km by next year and 42-km by 2025 to attract international participants. The price for the Mangrove run is N5 million, N1m for