 At exactly 6 am, the ninth addition of the Arsasbank Lagos City Marathon began at the National Stadium in Tulare with over 3,000 runners eager to win the coveted prize of $50,000. Around an hour few minutes later, at the Falomau Bridge in Ikui, Chaperots led a pack of Kenyan athletes to be the fourth set of runners to lead the contingent heading towards the finish line at the Echo Atlantic City. With enthusiastic display of spectators at the finish line and lots of sightment in the air, thousands of non-participant and foreign seekers were waiting eagerly to welcome the fourth athlete to cross the finish line. In 2 hours 16 minutes 49 seconds, Kenyers Bernard Sang who came forward in 2023 emerged winner in his third attempt. The 32 year overdespressed his desire for the city of Lagos on his next plan after the winning. I feel grateful because I have come 3 times and it is my first time winning. Last year it was number 3. Running in Lagos is motivating me to come back because it is a nice city. Lagos people are welcoming. I really enjoy running in Lagos. So I am looking forward to coming again next year. In the women's category, Charlotte Kibbening from Ethiopia came forced with a time of 2 hours 41 minutes while Kenyers Ruth Aga returned exactly 2 hours 41 minutes to play second. Ethiopia's Sharon Sharap came forward in the time of 2 hours 42 minutes. Best day of the year, everyone had a story I would be happy to share with you. Confidentialism is one of the world's best airlines. We thank you so much for coming up all the way out to the beautiful city of Rabi Media. And the challenge we have is coming up. Ladies and gentlemen, the boys are only Kenyers! A double Moazou of the public complaints commission became the forced Nigerian to cross the finish line repeating defeat as he achieved last year. Moazou crossed the line in a personal best of 2 hours 27 minutes while the Borough Pam of the Nigerian Security and Defence Corps was a forced Nigerian woman to cross the finish line. My training shows me that I'm equal to the test because always I'm training to win this competition a day. I'm training three times a day morning afternoon evening because of this tournament. So there is no how you compare someone that is training once daily and me that I'm training three times a day to run this marathon. So that is the hard work that I'm doing and because of that hard work that God has seen me through to win this one again. In Nigeria, especially the Assaysman, they are encouraged in is the only standard and successful marathon that is taking place without any hindrance. We are saying kudos to the Assaysman because this is the only marathon that we have won. No matter how it is, if you win your money will be given to you at the appropriate time in their state. What motivated me? They are giving us sensitive and motivating us by giving us cash to provide our needs. That is why we are putting more effort to be coming and to be participating in this marathon race. The Assays Bank Lego City Marathon has grown in bond and innovation since inception in 2015 and it has put Nigeria on the global map that has attracted tourists and boosted the economy of this state. The Deputy Managing Director Assays Bank Victor Toku, the major sponsor of the marathon, spoke about what made the race one of the best in Africa. Bank is the largest bank in Nigeria. As the largest bank in Nigeria, we have a role to play in driving the economy, in supporting people to live a healthy lifestyle. So we have been supporting this marathon for the last nine years because we believe in it. We believe it helps people to drive a healthy lifestyle of fitness and health and healthy living because only healthy people can build a healthy economy. There is a clear nexus between health status of citizens and the economy of a country and we are in front of building the healthy Nigerians so we can build a healthy economy. Apart from that, marathons help to drive the economy. Today, as we speak, there are about 18 countries represented here. So we have people coming in to understand who we are and bringing fortunes into the country. You can imagine the impact on the economy of Lego State for the last two months. Food, restaurants, transport, hotels and even sports infrastructure. All these things have been impacted by this marathon and we did this year in and year out. We are the fastest marathon in the world to get the good status and by next year we will be applying for Platinum status. We are the biggest marathon in Africa and we are part of every marathon in the world, be it London, Boston and Chicago on New York. The Deputy Governor of Lego State, Abafemi Amzid, said the public-private partnership between the State Government and Access Bank and other stakeholders has made the race continue to develop yearly. We have a very healthy relationship with Private Central Access Bank for example and they've been fantastic so we've been working together Lego State Government access and every stakeholder to make sure that this continues to grow. So I think credit must go to our citizens. So when we give instructions people comply with closed roads so various infrastructures are deployed to make sure that the athletes are free. Remember marathons around the world are the same okay and the essence of this is to be one of the best marathons in the world. So the partnership between Lego and Access Bank and all these stakeholders has been fantastic and I think that's it and credit must be given to Private Central for coming up and working with our state to make sure this happens. In terms of economy of course it elevates it, people buy more goods, people understand our culture better so it has many multiplying effects. It's not just about money but it's also about relationship and then showcasing our state and our country so that it's not only negative narrative that people see, people see positive component, they see Nigerians are their best and they see that we can organize the best event anywhere in the world. With the emergence of Access Bank, Lego City, Marathon, there have been several races across the country. The Races General Manager Yusuf Ali believed that Nidra is now among the Marathon countries in Africa. I think so since 2016 now over 70 marathons all over Nigeria I think we are going and if you compare to other other countries I think we are we are up there. Apart from running to win a prize Marathon Races has been proving to improve the mental states of individuals and they are taught to well-being.