Over 300 global special runners expected at Onitsha City marathon

No fewer than 300 world-rated marathoners are expected to take part in the second edition of the Onitsha City Marathon (OCM), billed for Sept. 30 this year. Prof. Segun Sogbesan, the Director of Onitsha Business School, organisers of the OCM, gave this indication in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka on Friday. Sogbesan said the elite runners were expected from America, Asia, Europe and parts of Africa for the 21-Km race around the commercial town of Onitsha. He said this year’s edition of the marathon was bigger and better with an estimated total of 10,000 participants, a huge improvement over the first edition which featured only about 1,500 marathoners. “Preparations are in top gear. We are mobilising stakeholders and it promises to be a bigger and better Marathon event this time. “We are expecting 10,000 participants and about 300 of them will be top-rated, world-class marathon runners,” he said. Sogbesan said the event would be an opportunity for visitors to experience the hospitality and rich cultural heritage of Anambra and Onitsha in particular. He thanked Gov. Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra and Igwe Alfred Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha, for their political and royal blessings respectively. “It is not only about marathon. It is also going to be a rich tourism experience with lots of historical sites that visitors can visit. “Registration is ongoing on www.onitsha city marathon.com, and the subscription so far is impressive. We are ready to host the world,” he said. NAN reports that the first Onitsha City marathon was held on Oct. 5, 2019.