Rivers International Marathon: Nigerian Distance Runners Up For Their Biggest Pay Day
Nigerian distance runners are up for their biggest pay day yet when they file out on Saturday for the first edition of the Rivers International Marathon in Portharcourt, capital of Rivers state.
The event has already made history as the biggest paying Marathon for Nigerian athletes with first placed man and woman going home with N5m each.
Peterside Idah, the spokesman for the race says Rivers state has always put Nigeria first hence the decision to adequately reward the athletes,’ said Idah, a former Super Eagles goalkeeper and media officer and now a pundit on Supersports.
‘As many as 20 athletes will be rewarded on Saturday. This, I think, is unprecedented in the history of road running events in Nigeria.’ Idah revealed the N5m is for the first Nigerian man and woman who completes the full marathon (42.195km).
‘There are also prizes for those who have chosen to take the shortest distance of 5km recognized by World Athletics. The winners, both gender category, will go home with half a million naira each and as many as 20 athletes will also be paid in this category,’ added Idah who is confident the Rivers International Marathon will change the narrative of road running in Nigeria especially in terms of remunerating our athletes.
Idah also revealed a USD$10,000 winner-takes-all prize money is on offer for the international elite category.
‘The international elite category does not stop a Nigerian from causing an upset and winning it,’ Idah clarifies.
Meanwhile, reigning Lagos Marathon male champion, Adamu Shehu Muazu (2:27:36), who is the fastest Nigerian over the 42.195km so far this year and Blessing Solomon (2:56:39), the second fastest Nigerian woman this year after Deborah Pam (2:55:26) who is out due to precreation reasons, will lead a strong list of Nigerian elite athletes registered for the race.
According to Wikipedia, the Nigerian record in the race remains the 2:16:06 ran by Abbas Mohammed in November 1990 for the men and 2:40:37 for the women set in April 2004 by Mary Akor in far away United States of America.
