World champion Haile Gabresellasie will lead 100 elite international
runners to the next edition of the Glo Lagos International Half Marathon which
will be held on February 21, 2009 with winners carting home US$210,000, two Kia
Picanto cars and an additional sum of 3.5 million naira (about US$30, 000) for
Nigerian winners.
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and Globacom, the title sponsor, at
a world press conference in Lagos on Tuesday said it had raised the bar for the
next edition of the Glo Lagos International Half Marathon by making special
provision for Nigerian elite athletes who might not stand a chance of winning
the star prizes against the international elite athletes and world champions who
have already signified their intention to run the race.
Adewale Sangowawa, Globacom's Executive Director, Human Resources, announced
the theme of the marathon as "Run for The Heart", adding that the theme enjoins
every participant to run not only for the health of his or her own heart, but
also for the health of other Nigerian. He disclosed that the marathon would be
used to raise money for the Nigerian Heart Foundation (NHF).
"I am pleased to announce that Globacom has entered into a strategic
partnership with the Nigerian Heart Foundation (NHF), to raise money for
research into, as well as the prevention and cure of cardiovascular diseases,"
he said.
In a presentation, Omodele Sarafa-Yusuf, while breaking down the prize
scheme, said the overall winners in the male and female categories, will receive
US$50,000 each, the first runner-up in the male and female categories will get
US$25,000 each while the second runner-up in the male and female categories will
cart home US$15,000 each.
Also, the third runner-up in the male and female categories will win
US$10,000 each while the 4th runner up in the male and female categories will
win US$5,000 each.