By Ikugbadi Oluwasegun
Joy Ebiye, Veteran long-distance runner has emerged as the third-time winner of the Lagos Women Run on Saturday ahead of 10,000 participants.
The 9th edition, which saw several athletes across Nigeria and Africa, commenced at 7 am from the Tafawa Balewa Square and finished at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Arena, Onikan.
Ebiye clocked the time of 39:35:21 to win the 10km race, having won the event in 2021 and 2023. Lizine Nguetsa from Cameroon came second with a time of 40:02:54, while Charity Agofure emerged in third place after she returned a time of 40:09:23.
Lekan Fatodu, Director-General, Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC) said Lagos Women’s Run is a competition that seeks to promote unity, peace and the spirit of feminism and a community of people of strong will who are ready to impact society positively.He emphasised that the 10 km race has become an attraction to a lot of people from different societies in Lagos state coming together.
In his words, “It is in line with our mandate to inspire and empower our women as the process includes entrepreneurship training, counselling and capacity development that has been set out for them as the marathon is beyond just running, and that is what we are promoting.
“The 9th edition of Lagos Women’s Run speaks of the exceptional work the organisers and the Lagos State Government are doing to support active and productive citizens by engaging them. The race has given opportunities to several women to build a community where they can impact each other and network”, Fatodu said.
Tayo Popoola, General Coordinator said the winner of the Lagos Women Run has proven herself once again as the highly successful race attracted women from all parts of the country and international runners.
“I was happy with the training and Expo, where many participants gained so much on things they can do to better their lives in various aspects”, he added.
The winners of the open category got a cash prize of N1.5 million, second place got N1 million, and third place got N500,000.
The winners of the Veteran Category got N300.000 cash prizes, N200.00 and N100.000 respectively including other different prizes from sponsors.All participants received a certificate of participation and several products from sponsors.