The Coordinator of Lagos Women Run, Tayo Popoola, says the 10km Marathon scheduled for Saturday aims at complementing the tourism development drive of the Lagos State Government (LASG).

Popoola made the assertion in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) as part of activities to herald the 7th Lagos Women Run scheduled to hold on Nov.12, 2022.

She disclosed that no fewer than 25,000 participants across different walks of life were expected at this year’s edition.

She noted that Lagos state was a tourism destination for people all over the world because of the attention given by the state government, hence the race would help to project more of its tourism value.

“Lagos has been the home of tourism in Nigeria and we thank the Lagos state government that have been supportive of things that will promote the state’s drive towards development.

“We also thank Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State who has been supportive of good initiatives like the Lagos Women Run.

“I can say that as Lagos is a tourism destination for all, it is also a home for all. We have a tolerant government that allows us to thrive in all of our endeavours,” she said.

Popoola also noted that Lagos could boast of notable tourist attractions similar to what was obtained in cities like Dubai, hence any opportunity to showcase the beautiful city of Lagos would be helpful.

“People travel to places like Dubai to see the skyscrapers and how they are able to turn the desert to a beautiful city.

“Also here in Lagos, we have something similar as we want people to come and see how Lagos has turned waters to a beautiful city.

“Aside this, we have a conducive environment in Lagos that allows businesses and good initiatives to thrive without molestation and this is what we want to portray,” she said.

Similarly, the Chairman, Lagos State Athletics Association (LSAA), Solomon Alao, noted that hard work and resilience of the organisers accounted for the race to have reached its 7th edition.

“For this race to reach its 7th edition, the organisers and it’s coordinator, Tayo Popoola must have done a yeoman’s job.

“This is a product of hard work and resilience on the part of the organisers who are ensuring that the tournament gets bigger in each of its edition.

“Lagos state will always give adequate support to laudable projects like this because its a means of empowerment for our women,” he said.

NAN reports that the route for the race which will start from Tafawa Balewa Square will see them run through Awolowo Road Ikoyi, to link highbrow commercial centre, Akin Adesola.

The runners will then go through Bar Beach to run through Adeola Odeku to connect back to Ahmadu Bello then go through Bonny Camp to end at Mobolaji Johnson Arena formerly Onikan Stadium, Lagos Island.

The winners of the Lagos Women Run will go with N1 million cash prize while others will have other consolation prizes.

The race will start from the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Lagos Island, and end at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena (formerly Onikan Stadium), Lagos Island.