The lead-up activities marking the start of the Abuja International Marathon will commence on Friday, 21 April 2023, with the Marathon Expo, organisers have announced.
The marathon, the first-ever to be staged in Abuja and the FCT, will hold on Saturday, 29 April, 2023.
Organisers say the race will have three categories; a 5km race for students, 10km family run and the 42km for the elite athletes and passionate runners.
Race Director Olukayode Thomas in a statement on Tuesday, said that the Marathon Expo will hold at The Pavilion beside the International Conference Centre, opposite Radio House, Abuja.
Thomas added that the Marathon Expo themed “Showcasing the best of FCT”, will start at 9am and end at 6pm daily.
All participating runners are expected to collect their running vests, goody bags, transpondants and running number at the EXPO.
Entertainment will be provided by the FCT Arts and Culture Department and tour guides from the FCT Tourism Department will be present to take curious visitors around notable FCT landmarks, Thomas said.
Meanwhile, about 50 foreign and 120 local elite runners have registered to participate in the race.
They will be joined by thousands of Nigerian runners that have registered to participate in the three categories.
Thomas, while urging Abuja residents to come out in their thousands to cheer the runners, noted that most of the city will be closed to traffic for the marathon.
He, however, assured residents of minimal disruption to their movements as alternative routes have already been mapped out to aid navigation.
“I will also appeal to residents and those that intend to visit Abuja over the weekend of 29 April, that most parts of the city will be closed to traffic on Friday, 28 April 2023, from 10pm till 2.00pm on Saturday, 29 April 2023,” Thomas said.
“But, I want to assure everybody that top security experts and members of the FRSC are working to provide alternative routes to residents.’’
He added that the gains of the Abuja Marathon far outweigh the few road closures.
