Lagos Women Run : Alabi wins again as organisers hail turnout
Aminat Alabi on Saturday defended her title at the 11th edition of the Lagos Women Run on Saturday, winning the 10km race in 38 minutes, 37.26 seconds.
Alabi, who made history last year as the first Lagos-based athlete to win the competition, maintained her dominance ahead of Cameroonian Nguesta Lilian, who finished second in 39 minutes, 31.68 seconds, while Jecinta Elias settled for third place in 40 minutes, 32.12 seconds.
Thousands of women from different backgrounds and walks of life participated in the annual event, which started at Tafawa Balewa Square and finished at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan.
The race, which promotes women’s participation in sports, fitness and healthy living, was held under the theme, *’One City, One Stride, Let’s Run Together’.*
Speaking on the event, the Director-General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu, described the turnout as impressive, reaffirming the state government’s commitment to supporting the initiative.
“This is an exceptional run again, the turnout was impressive and the responses are inspiring.
“We are sending messages of wellness and the need for people to engage in a healthy lifestyle.
“Lagos State Government through the Lagos State Sports Commission will be available to continue to support. It’s a platform to promote inclusivity so we will continue to promote and position them. We have leaders in different sectors among them and I’m really convinced that the expectations are being met,” Fatodu said.
Beyond the competition, the 11th edition featured a three-day empowerment and sustainability programme organised from November 10 to 12 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, to provide participants with opportunities for skills acquisition, economic development and networking.
The programme, handled by the Executive Director of Mateen Lander Impact Foundation, Sidikat Folami, focused on financial inclusion, economic self-sufficiency, climate literacy and waste-to-wealth initiatives.
Participants were exposed to practical training on turning ideas into income, recycling and transforming discarded materials into useful products, alongside sessions on business development and sustainable livelihood opportunities.
Among the activities were training on the production of tyre ottoman stools, waste-to-wealth initiatives and creative enterprise, while health and wellness sessions covered good grooming, personal hygiene, exercise, healthy eating, intimate relationships and ageing gracefully.
The empowerment initiative is designed to make the annual event more than a sporting competition by equipping women with practical knowledge and opportunities that can improve their livelihoods.
At a pre-event briefing, Folami said the programme was intended to help women recognise economic opportunities in their immediate environment, particularly through recycling and sustainable business ventures.
The race coordinator, Tayo Popoola, had also emphasised that the Lagos Women Run was designed to deliver opportunities beyond the 10km competition through training, lectures and networking.
“We are so happy that the entire event went well especially the turn out, ” Popoola said
