Onitsha has the ‘best terrain for marathon’

Onitsha will host the first certified international marathon in South-east, Nigeria and the organisers are proud to say the city has the best terrain for such an event in the country.

Osondu Umeobi, project manager of the Onitsha City Marathon, said this during a press conference at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

The 21Km half marathon received certifications from the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF), the Association of International Marathon and Distance Races (AIMS), and the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN). And the terrain played a key role in the approval.

“When the Onitsha City Marathon was measured by renowned AIMS measurer Norrie Williamson on June 30, 2019, he said that the race route has the best routes in Nigeria because of a 4km stretch of plain land and that he wouldn’t be surprised if Onitsha host an international event in the nearest future,” Umeobi said.

“In a marathon, the time of day, weather conditions and terrain are all key variables into a runner’s performance level. All three variables will make this event the best in Nigeria.”

Williamson, the author of “Every Beginners Guide to Walking & Running”, has provided seminars, practical clinics, and after dinner talks to clubs, groups, and companies both in South Africa and internationally.

“The Onitsha City Marathon is lucky to have procured the services of the best in the event – Williamson, a man credited with measuring marathons routes of four Olympic Games – 1984 Los Angelis Games, 1996 Atlanta, 2004 Athens and the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games,” National Long Jump record holder and Marathon race organiser, Yusuff Alli, said.

“I am certain that the Onitsha marathon will attract many entries from elite athletes all over the world because of the flat nature of the course.”
Over 20,000 runners from across the globe are expected to take part in the maiden edition of the Onitsha City Marathon billed for October 5, 2019.

According to the organisers, registration for the event is open till the end of September to allow for more participants.

The race which coincides with the popular Ofala Festival has been endorsed by the Obi of Onitsha and several corporate bodies operating in the city.

Onitsha City Marathon is an initiative developed to discover and harness sporting talents of the teeming youths of Onitsha, Anambra state, Nigeria and Africa at large and to showcase the city on the global map as a centre of sporting excellence.