Mayowa Paul, Oluwaseyi Haliyah Win Maiden Isale Eko/Ajeromi-Ifelodun Kids Marathon 

The maiden edition of Isale Eko/Ajeromi-Ifelodun Kids Marathon flagged-off at Ajeromi-Ifelodun council secretariat in Ajegunle during the week .

The marathoners whose average age ranges from 12 to 16 years comprises of boys and girls from Isale-Eko in  Lagos-Island and Ajegunle.

His Royal Majesty Oba Moroof Oyekunle Amodu-Tijani Oluwa (Amore III) who is the Olu of Iwa and Apapa kingdom was at the council secretariat to give words of encouragement to the boys and girls before the flag-off for the marathon.

The race commenced by 9:45am at the entrance of the Council secretariat in Ajeromi-Ifelodun, and the marathoners were seen jostling to outwit one another for the first spot.

The marathoners ran through Freedom Street and connected Orodu Street inward Aiyeke bridge to Amore Street. They navigated their run through Kirikiri road by Tolu Medical Centre off Tolu road before the kids  ran significant length of Kirikiri road to New Road bus stop, and turning to Ojoku Street, and with the finish line at the entrance gate of Maracana and Tolu complex gate in Ojoku Street.

Mayowa Paul from Topfield College won the marathon race in the boys category with a return time of 12 minutes and 2 seconds. 

Oluwaseyi Haliyah from Dolphin College in Lagos won the girls marathon race with a return time of 15 minutes and 2 seconds.

Speaking after the race, His Royal Majesty Oba Moroof Oyekunle Amodu-Tijani Oluwa ( Amore III) applauded the teenagers who participated at the event.

He urged them (the marathoners) to see the event as part of exercise for the improvement of their physical wellbeing.

Oba Oluwa also noted that the marathon can serve as an avenue for talent discovery towards global marathon sporting event in the future.

He commended Lagos State government for encouraging sports among the youths of Lagos. 

Oba Oluwa also thanked the council chairman Ayoola Fatai Adekunle for his support towards the success of the kids  marathon in Ajegunle. 

Convener of the kids marathon Prince Adeola Masha Eshinlokun, said the event was successful despite being the maiden edition. He thanked Oba Oluwa for his support.

Director General of Sports Ajif Sports Council MacAnthony Anaelechukwu, commended the teenagers. He described their athletism as “fantastic and worthy’ of a disciplined athletes.

Representing the council chairman at the event; Mr. Adeyemi Supervisor for youths and sports, said the council chairman Ayoola, will continue to support development of sporting activities in the local government, adding that the kids performed beyond expectations.

Ambassador Isaac Omoyele chairman of National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) Ajif chapter, said the organisers must improve in the area of security and publicity, in order for residents to be aware of an event of such magnitude.

The kids marathon which has attracted interest from stakeholders lately had been described as a sporting event that should be held on a quarterly basis in Ajegunle.