NEWS DIGEST– Joy Abiye, an accomplished athlete from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, showcased her exceptional running skills at the 8th edition of the Lagos Women Run. She triumphed over thousands of participants to claim victory in the tournament, marking her second consecutive win.
Abiye’s remarkable performance in the Open race, where she clocked an impressive time of 39 minutes, 13.78 seconds, secured her the coveted prize money of N1.5 million. The runner-up and third-place winners were awarded N500,000 and N300,000, respectively. Additionally, the top 20 participants received various cash prizes.
Originally hailing from Okitipupa, Ondo State, Abiye had previously seized the title in the 2021 Lagos Women Run, conquering the 10-kilometer course with a time of 33 minutes, 41.4 seconds and earning a cash reward of N1 million.
The 2023 edition of the tournament witnessed an awe-inspiring participation rate, with over 50,000 women from across the globe registering for the event. A staggering 7,000 runners took part, commencing their race at 7:00 a.m. from Tafawa Balewa Square and concluding at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena. The route encompassed the captivating landscape of Lagos Island and parts of Victoria Island, culminating at the stadium.
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Deborah Pam, a long-distance runner hailing from Plateau State, secured an impressive second place in the fiercely contested Open race. Patience Dalyop and Elizabeth Nuhu, also from Plateau State, clinched the third and fourth positions, respectively.
Overjoyed by her victory, Abiye expressed her excitement and credited her success to rigorous training, mental preparation, and a determined mindset. She mentioned that being unable to win last year due to an injury further fueled her motivation to emerge victorious this time.
Tayo Popoola, the coordinator of the race, expressed great satisfaction with the successful event. He emphasized that the LaWomen’s Run is not merely about running or winning prizes; it symbolizes the empowerment of women and serves as a powerful statement in that regard.
“The Lagos Women Run is not all about running; it empowers women to overcome challenges, conquer stereotypes, and break barriers.
“It sends a powerful message that Lagos women are strong, confident, and unstoppable. And as they run through the city’s streets, they inspire and uplift others, proving that they can achieve anything they set their minds on,” she said.
In the Veteran race, 45-year-old policewoman, Helen Mamman, won the race with a time of 50.11.5 seconds and claimed the N300,000 cash prize while the second and third getting N200,000 and N100,000 respectively with the first ten finishers also going home with cash prizes.
