Jubilation as 17-year-old boy wins Lagos marathon race

The second edition of the Mangrove Marathon Race in Lagos state yesterday, came to a close with a 17-year-old emerging as winner.

17-year-old Francis James, an indigene of Plateau State was declared winner of the 2023 edition of the race beating other competitors from across the country.

One of his major rivals in the race was the Publisher of Sahara Reporters, a popular online newspaper; and presidential candidate for African Action Congress in the 2023 General Elections, Mr Omoyele Sowore.

James’ feat has fetched him a whooping sum of one million naira, according to the News Agency of Nigeria who revealed that the 10km eco-friendly race held on Saturday in Lekki, Lagos, state.

The teens’ achievement is considered a significant milestone crossed at a very young age.

James, who expressed happiness after winning the male division of the competition, claimed that it had taken him six months to train. This underscores the value of practice and consistency in whatever field of endeavour.

He exhorted his competitors to put forth more effort next time.

Meanwhile, a staff of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, David Abiye-Joyce, emerged winner in the women’s category of the race.

Abiye-Joyce who came first among the females in the competition, expressed gratitude to God for making it possible for her to come tops.

In what seemed like a bragging right, Abiye-Joyce said that she had been winning athletic competitions for the NSCDC prior to the competition.

The Mangrove marathon race, a community-based initiative, serves as a rallying point for stakeholders to connect and collaborate to save the mangroves and other biodiversity hotspots in Lagos, according to the convener, Mr Jerry Chidi.

Mr Jerry who doubles as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, of Mangrove Marathon, disclosed this to Journalists prior to the event.

At the end of the event, Mr Jerry who described the race as a huge success, said the youth of Ibeju-Lekki LCDA were excited to be part of the development in their community.

He said the youths are happy, not just for the fun, but also because it serves as a means to create awareness for the conservation of mangrove.

“The Local Organising Committee of the Marathon Race plans to make it bigger in the coming years; 21km in 2024 and 42 Km in 2025,” he said.

Earlier in his Welcome address, the Lekki LCDA Chairman. Hon. Rasak Kasali, praised the efforts of both organisers and participants of the Mangrove Marathon Race while emphasizing the value of mangroves to the ecosystem.

According to him, mangroves serve as a buffer between marine and terrestrial communities and protect shorelines from damaging winds, waves, and floods.

Kasali explained that mangrove tangles enhance water quality by filtering contaminants and capturing soil particles. Despite their numerous advantages, he claimed that they were being destroyed. Kasali added that mangroves are harmed by pollutants from the land and that its benefits were rapidly disappearing.

“We as a government have continued to play our part.

“I call on captains of industries working within the Lekki LCDA to be environmentally responsive,” Kasali said.

The Mangrove Marathon Lagos 2023 which held on July 29, was aimed at commemorating the international day for the conservation of the mangrove.