Final Call for Lagos City Marathon Medals as Organisers Close Collection Window for Participants!

Reported by Mustapha Labake Omowumi (Journalist) | Sele Media Africa

Organisers of the internationally recognised Access Bank Lagos City Marathon have announced that today marks the final opportunity for eligible participants to collect their medals following the completion of the latest edition of the race. Runners who have not yet retrieved their awards have been urged to do so before the official collection deadline expires.

The marathon, widely regarded as one of Africa’s largest road races, draws thousands of local and international athletes annually to Nigeria’s commercial capital, Lagos. Since its launch in 2016, the event has grown into a major fixture on the continent’s athletics calendar, attracting elite runners, amateur athletes, and recreational participants alike.

According to the race organisers, participants who successfully completed the marathon are eligible to receive their medals as recognition of their achievement. The medals represent not only athletic accomplishment but also the endurance required to complete the race, which covers a challenging 42-kilometre route across the bustling metropolis.

Officials said designated collection points had been made available to ensure that runners could conveniently claim their medals before the final deadline. Participants were advised to visit the approved pickup locations with appropriate identification and race credentials to facilitate a smooth verification process.

The organising committee, led by Nilayo Sports Management Limited, emphasised that the collection window had been extended over several days to accommodate runners who may have been unable to retrieve their medals immediately after the race. However, organisers stressed that the deadline would not be extended further.

“We encourage all eligible participants who have not collected their medals to visit the designated centres before the closing time,” organisers said in a statement. “The medals are a symbol of the resilience and determination shown by runners who completed the marathon, and we want everyone who earned one to receive it.”

The Access Bank Lagos City Marathon is supported by several partners, including Access Bank, whose sponsorship has helped elevate the race into a globally recognised sporting event. The marathon has also received certification from World Athletics, further strengthening its credibility within the international athletics community.

Over the years, the event has played an important role in promoting sports tourism and encouraging public participation in physical fitness across Nigeria. The marathon route typically spans major landmarks and bridges across Lagos, offering runners a scenic yet demanding course that highlights the city’s vibrant urban landscape.

Athletics enthusiasts say the race has also created new opportunities for African long-distance runners to compete on an international platform without leaving the continent. Several elite athletes from East Africa and beyond regularly participate in the competition, adding to the event’s growing global reputation.

Beyond the elite competition, the marathon also features a 10-kilometre race category, designed to encourage broader community participation. This segment attracts thousands of amateur runners, corporate teams, and health advocates who view the race as both a sporting challenge and a celebration of healthy living.

Sports analysts note that events like the Lagos City Marathon contribute significantly to the development of athletics in Africa. By hosting large-scale competitions that meet international standards, Nigeria continues to strengthen its position as a key destination for sports events on the continent.

Organisers say preparations are already underway for future editions of the marathon, with ongoing efforts to improve logistics, safety, and the overall race experience for participants and spectators.

For now, however, the focus remains on ensuring that runners who completed the most recent race receive the recognition they earned. As the medal collection window closes, organisers have reiterated their appreciation for the thousands of athletes whose participation helped make the event another successful chapter in the marathon’s history.

Participants who have yet to collect their medals are advised to do so promptly before the deadline expires, as unclaimed medals may not be available after the official collection period ends.

Sources:
The Punch, Vanguard Newspaper, Channels Television, Premium Times, Daily Trust

Mustapha Labake Omowumi

Mustapha Labake Omowumi is a journalist from Ibadan, Oyo State, and a graduate of the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) in Economics and Mathematics. He demonstrates a strong commitment to professional journalism, with a keen interest in writing and storytelling, guided by principles of self-discipline, accuracy, and trustworthiness.

www.selemedia.org