By OLANREWAJU AKOJEDE

Some registered runners for the 10th Access Bank Lagos City Marathon have expressed readiness to participate and make their mark in the race, scheduled to hold on Saturday.

The runners spoke In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday, at the marathon’s games village located at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

NAN reports that many registered runners have arrived at the village, animating the atmosphere with a lot of activities.

NAN correspondent who visited the village reports that a good number of runners were seen either picking up their kits, patronising vendors selling sports-related items or undergoing medical checks.

Some runners were seen jogging round the area.

One of the runners, Daniel Anyiam, told NAN that he could not wait to run the race as a first timer.

“I am here to pick up my tag for the 10th Access Bank Lagos City Marathon and I am pretty excited seeing myself in the race.

“I registered basically to challenge myself and participate in the long-distance race, I wanted to do something difficult.

“I actually challenged myself that I am going to do three difficult tasks this year and participating in the marathon is one of those tasks.

“I know the marathon is a huge challenge, but am already in it,” he said.

Anyiam added that he knew that running the 42km race would not be easy, but that he was up to the task.

“I know it will be a difficult thing to do, but I and my friends have been practising for a month now, just last week, I was able to do 26km with my timer.

“I think I am ready to go, nonetheless. It will be my first time in the marathon race.

“I am looking forward to having a fantastic time”, he said.

“Another registered runner, Bidemi Popoola, said he would try to get a good finish in the race, the high number of registered runners notwithstanding.

“I know we are have many runners coming around to participate, I think am ready for it too.

“I already know that the Kenyans or the Ethiopians might win, so I am not really competing with them. I just started my own preparations early last month so am not hoping for much.

“I have been working everyday picking up indoor and outdoor trainings, doing upper body and lower body exercises. I am in good shape and I am good to go”, he said.

Popoola added: “I have also done 5km and 10km run to keep shape ahead of the run.

“I was able to do 22km, which is the longest I have done, coming behind my friends.

“I have also done light walk, so I will approach the marathon with a mind of a warrior to test my strength against others.”

Another runner, Alexander Emmanuel, said he would try to do well in the race.

“I personally have a mantra of achieving high work rate and working in challenging spheres.

“I have been training for over two weeks, in my first race, I was able to do 10km, which is far below the standard, but for me, I don’t think I will win.

“What I want to achieve is to challenge others and definitely, I won’t be the last person in the race,” he said.

Ifedayo Olu, another runner, said she was glad she would be participating in the race for the third time.

“The race is significant. I have been participating for about three years, but not tired, I missed some edition because I was out of Lagos, but if I am in Lagos, I can’t miss the marathon.

“Lagos marathon has always been a good experience for me, each edition with its unique experience.

“Last year, the person beside me is now my closest friend. We actually met for the first time at the marathon,” she said.

She described the race as exciting, urging the organisers to sustain it.

Precious Okon, one of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon Media executives, told NAN that the turnout for the 2025 race had been impressive.

“I am very much impressed with the turnout because we have been attending to scores of runners who have come to collect their bibs.

“At the last count, we had over 60,000 runners coming for their kits.

“The turnout this year is expectedly massive,” she said.

NAN reports that the organisers of the marathon said no fewer than 600,000 runners were expected to participate in the 10th edition

The organisers also said that the 2025 edition would no fewer than 4,000 international runners, alongside 100 elite athletes from across the globe.

NAN reports that the race is tagged “Love in the Air”, aligning with the Valentine’s Day celebrations. (NAN)

•PHOTO: Some potential runners picking up their bibs at the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon Games Village at Teslim Balogun Stadium Surulere