The organisers of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon holding within the Lagos Metropolis this Saturday, 12th February 2022, starting from 5.00 am. have explained that alternative routes have been created to reduce the inconveniences of road closures and interruptions may cause road users on the day of the event.
They are equally apologising for all inconveniences these closures and interruptions may cause all journeys that day. However, they have promised that traffic control and security personnel would be detailed to handle critical junctions and intersections on all the alternatives routes to maintain law, order, and sanity for the motorists.
The organizers have revealed that race shall be in two categories with different “Start Points” and distances to be covered. The following dedicated routes would be closed for some hours for the event
The first category of the Access Bank-Lagos City Marathon covers 42 km and shall commence from National Stadium Underbridge on Funsho Williams Avenue and shall go through Barracks >>>Ojuelegba on the main carriageway >>> Dorman Long Bridge >>>Fadeyi on Ikorodu Road >>>Obanikoro>>> Anthony to Gbagada>>> Third Mainland Bridge >>> Osborne Road >>> Alfred Rewane (Old Kingsway) Road >>>Falomo Roundabout >>>Bourdillion Road >>>Cable Bridge (Ikoyi – Lekki Link Bridge) >>> Admiralty Way >>>Lekki First Roundabout >>>Lekki Tollgate >>>OzumbaMbadiwe Road >>>Akin Adesola Street >>> Bishop Oluwole Street and terminating at Eko Atlantic City.
The second category of the race covers 10 km, and starts from DurosimiEtti, Lekki Phase 1 and shall connect Lekki First Roundabout >>>Lekki Tollgate >>>OzumbaMbadiwe Road >>>Akin Adesola Street>>> Bishop Oluwole and terminating at Eko Atlantic City ( Finish Point).
Motorists and commuters hoping to ply all these roads should note that these routes will be closed to safeguard the runners and maintain the integrity of the marathon.
Due to the road closure that is inevitable within the duration of the marathon, accessible alternative routes have been mapped out for road users as follows:
-Motorists on Eko Bridge coming from Apongbon shall be diverted to Costain Roundabout to connect Ebute -Metta, Orile, Nigerian Breweries/ Abebe Village, Eric Moore, Bode Thomas, AdeniranOgunsanya, and link destination as appropriate.
-From Alaka Estate, motorists shall be diverted to Iponri or Iponri Estate to link Bode Thomas, AdeniranOgunsanya or BabsAnimasahun and connect to other destinations.
-Motorists from Masha inwards Stadium shall be diverted through Shitta Roundabout >>>Akerele Street for onward movement through Falolu or AdeniranOgunsanya>>> connect destination.-Motorists from Apapa / Orile – Iganmu going towards Funsho Williams Avenue shall be diverted to Apapa Road or Nigerian Breweries/ Abebe Village >>> link Eric Moore, Bode Thomas, BabsAnimashaun or AdeniranOgunsanya>>>connect destination.
-On Ikorodu Road, vehicular movement is allowed from Anthony inwards Fadeyi to Eko Bridge inwards Lagos but no movement shall be allowed from Fadeyi inwards Anthony. Motorists should also note that the making use of Anthony Interchange inwards Gbagada to connect Lagos/ Toll Gate shall be barred. However, traffic coming from Gbagada can access Ikorodu Road through the Anthony Interchange or before it.
-From Apapa – OshodiExpressway, that is from Mile 2, motorists shall be diverted through BOC Gases / Armed Forces Resettlement Centre into the service lane to connect Agege Motor Road. Traffic shall also be diverted to Town Planning Way through the service lane after descending OshodiOke to connect destination as appropriate since traffic shall be closed shortly before Anthony Interchange.
-From Old Tollgate to Alapere, Ogudu, motorists cannot access the Third Mainland Bridge. They shall be diverted to Gbagada on Oworoshoki – Oshodi – Apapa Expressway to connect destination.
-From Ajah, motorists coming towards Ozumba Mbadiwe Road shall be diverted to Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1.-Motorists coming from Lekki through the Cable Bridge (Ikoyi – Lekki Link Bridge) shall be diverted to Gerrard Road as Alexander and Bourdillion Roads are temporarily closed to traffic.10) From Bonny Camp Roundabout to OzumbaMbadiwe Road, motorists shall be diverted to KofoAbayomi Street through Old Mr. Biggs.
-The organizers want to also state that: all adjoining streets and feeder roads leading to the marathon dedicated route shall be temporarily closed to traffic to ensure a hitch-free exercise and guarantee the safety and security of the athletes.
The Lagos City Marathon has moved up the ladder from a Bronze Label marathon to a Silver Label marathon last year, less than five years after its maiden edition. This shows the level of efforts and investment channeled towards the marathon by the main sponsor, Access bank, other sponsors, and the Lagos State Government.
Last year, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu expressed delight that the race has become a big platform to project The Lagos Brand and, indeed, the country as a whole, with the participation of elite athletes from other parts of the world.
Globally marathons have become notable sport tourism events and have become a big tool for city branding. It is for this reason that more cities are launching races to promote tourism and boost their image.