By Uzor Odigbo
The air pumping and banters that usuallly trail athletes crossing the finishing point in past Lagos City Marathon was missing this time, as athletes watch their results misplaced and juxtaposed after the race.
The anger and unbelief athletes and officials displayed could have brought the arena down but for the quick intervention by some officials.
One hour after the race, results of the local runners that participated in the 42km and 10km was stilll unknow which drew the attention of athletes, the media and dignitaries.
Same was the situation in foreign athletes camp except that the error was quickly resolved before Governor Akinwunmi Ambode could present medals and cash prizes to the winners.
At the moment, local athletes are yet to recieve medals, cash prizes after a No result situation. However, affected runners have been assured of a boardroom decision after the general manager of the Marathon, Yusuf Alli waded on the matter.
He quickly assured irate athletes and their officials of a quick fix to the situation when the race video tape is reviewed.
The same confusion also heralded results of a US based female athlete with dual citizenship who was almost denied of her cash prize after placing 4th position following result misplacement. Her dogged disposition while on the podium caught officials attention, before sanity was restored.
The third edition of the Lagos City marathon however commenced on a rainy note with Gov. Ambode successfully flagging off the race at exactly 6.28 a.m on Saturday despite the early morning down pour.
At the Eko Atlantic City, the marathon finishing point was devoid of the usual paraphinelia of partymen and women but basicaly had the full compliments of business people in Banking, Real estate, Hoteliers, Enternment industry and churches that took advantage of the moment to hawk their trade.
Local fun catching runners in their droves had full dose of entertainers like D’Bang, Teni, and Olamide among others who thrilled the crowd with familiar music.