LAGOS WOMEN RUN: JOY EBIYE EMERGES THIRD-TIME WINNER

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A veteran long-distance runner named Joy Ebiye won the Lagos Women Run for the third time on Saturday, defeating 10,000 other runners.

The ninth edition began at 7 am at Tafawa Balewa Square and ended at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Arena in Onikan, with a number of athletes from Nigeria and Africa participating.

After winning the race in 2021 and 2023, Ebiye won the 10km race in 39:35:21.

After returning with a time of 40:09:23, Charity Agofure took third place, followed by Lizine Nguetsa of Cameroon in second place with a time of 40:02:54.

The Lagos Women’s Run, according to Lekan Fatodu, Director-General of the Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC), is an event that aims to foster harmony, peace, feminism, and a community of strong-willed individuals prepared to make a good contribution to society.

He emphasized that the 10 km race has grown to be a popular gathering place for people from various Lagos State societies.

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.

The Lagos Women Run’s winner has once again proven herself, according to General Coordinator Tayo Popoola, as the wildly popular race drew runners from all across the nation as well as outside.

“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.

N1.5 million was awarded to the open category winners, N1 million to the runner-up, and N500,000 to the third place finisher. In addition to various awards from sponsors, the Veterans Category winners received N300,000 in cash, N200.00, and N100,000, respectively.

Sponsors gave each participant a certificate of participation and a number of merchandise.