The Chief Coach of High Altitude Athletics Club of Jos, Steven Nuhu, has revealed that 30 athletes of 15 men and 15 women would be storming Lagos ahead of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon.
The marathon, scheduled for February 11, will see the country’s best competing against their counterparts from around the world.
Nuhu said that the athletes had been preparing well and were rearing to go as he looked forward to some of them breaking into the top 10.
“Although the athletes were not camped, they have been participating in several marathon competitions which has put them in top shape,” he said.
“This year will be better than last year because from the competitions so far, the athletes have improved their time, and that means we are going to do much better.
“I submitted a list of 30 athletes (15 males and 15 females) although the organisers said they might trim down the number, but all of them will definitely be part of the race.
“I have confidence in the ability of the athletes to, at least, break into the top 10 international, that’s overall. We failed to achieve that last year but we are working hard to do that this year.”
He added that he was not going to give any number or calling names of those he believe would be among the top 10, but he said his expectation will be to see more than one breaking into the top ten.
He further revealed that the athletes would be in Lagos before February 9 to train and also get acclimatised to Lagos weather.
Phillibus Sharubutu was the best male Nigeria at the first edition of the marathon while Oluwaseun Olamide was the best female, although both failed to break into the overall top 10.
