29th December, 2015
Organisers say no fewer than 31 elite runners from eight countries have signed on for the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, which holds in February, 2016.
General Manager of the Marathon, Yussuf Alli, said that the athletes consist of 24 men marathoners and seven women. Of the 24 men marathoners, 11 have IAAF gold label and nine of them are from Kenya.
They are Abraham Kiptom, Peter Kiptoo Kiplagat, Amos Mitel, Sammy Kipkorir Kibet, Simpson Pkanaan Limareng, Nelson Kirwa Rotich, Kipkemboi Hosea, Philip Kiplagat Biwott Kenya and Isaac Kipkeboi Kosgei.
The other two gold label athletes, Mehair Fesshaye and Ali Abdosh Muhammed, are from Eritrea and Ethiopia.
Of the eight IAAF silver label men marathoners on the list, four are from Kenya; they are James Cherutich Tallem, Mathew Bowen, Linus Kipwamdok Chumba and Daniel Kipchirchir Komen.
Other silver label marathoners are Mohamed Qumaarir and Khalid Lablea both from Morocco, the two others are Solomon Biratu from Ethiopia and Ghirmay Tukabo from Eritrea.
Three of the five IAAF bronze label marathoners that are coming to Lagos are also from Kenya. They are Ednah Kimayo, Amos Koech and Ogla Jerono. Cameroon and Bahrain complete the men’s list with Foimi Justilin and Birhanu Yemata.
Of the seven women elite marathoners, four are from Kenya, two from Ethiopia and one from Uganda.
Two of the Kenyan women marathoners have IAAF gold label, they are Alice Timbilil and Leah Jebet Kiprono. The other two Fridah Jepkitel Lodepa and Irine Jeptoo Kipchumba have silver label.
The two Ethiopians have gold label Debele Worknesh Degefe and Qurage Alem Mokonnin, Uganda Calorine Migadde, with silver label, complete the list.
Alli said that the organisers are still expecting more elite athletes in the New Year. He restated that the 28 January, 2016 deadline for submission of forms is sacrosanct.