As the maiden edition of the international Access Bank Lagos City Marathon held on Saturday, thousands of residents in the state were forced to transport themselves on foot due to vehicular restrictions across the state.
Among such stranded Lagosians was a bride, who was forced to trek to her wedding in company with other ladies presumed to be members of her bridal train.
A photograph, shared on Twitter by a user, Tolulope Fawehinmi, showed the unknown lady trotting down a sidewalk in a white lace gown and cream-coloured wedges to match, with her hair held up with white hair ornaments.
Another lady, who appeared to be her maid of honour, wearing a flowing cream-coloured gown, held unto the bride’s train, as other ladies dressed in orange walked ahead. A man semi-formally dressed in a tucked-in, long-sleeved shirt was seen walking close by, but it was unclear whether he was the groom.
Fawehinmi humorously captioned the photo, “One of the many casualties of #LagosMarathon.”
When asked by a follower on his timeline where the photograph was taken, he replied, “She was on her way to Ikoyi registry.”
Several users on the social networking site expressed sympathy for the bride.
Meanwhile, Kenyan and Ethiopian athletes on Saturday won the 2016 Lagos City Marathon.
A Kenyan, Abraham Kipton, won the race in the male category. He breasted the tape at 2hr: 16mins: 19secs to win the grand prize of $50,000.
lag marathonHis compatriot, Kipkemboi Hosea, came second at 2hrs: 16mins: 34secs and got a $40,000 prize.
Debebe Tolosa from Ethiopia finished third at 2hrs: 16min: 40secs and went home with $30,000.
In the female category, Halima Huseen Kayo from Ethiopia finished first at 2hrs: 38mins: 32secs; Alice Timbilil from Kenya came second at 2hrs: 38mins: 49secs; Aberash Feyase from Ethiopia finished third at 2hrs: 39mins: 9secs.
Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, said the event had come to stay in the state. He added that his administration would work towards making the competition the best in the world.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Habib Aruna, quoted Ambode as expressing delight with the massive turnout of international and local athletes for the marathon.
The governor said Lagos was proud to join major cities in the world to promote the race.
Ambode said, “Lagos State is glad to host athletes from different parts of the world today as we flag off the Lagos City Marathon. The last time this event held was 30 years ago. I stand here to tell you today that this event is here to stay. We are committed to sustaining this event and ensuring consistent improvement to make it one of the best marathons in the world.”
The Vice President, International Association of Athletics Federation, Col. Hamad Malboum (retd.) thanked the organisers for putting up a sterling show. He assured them that the IAAF would partner with the state to make the marathon the most remarkable athletics event in Africa and in the world.
Also, Minister of Sports, Mr. Solomon Dalung, said Ambode, by his actions was trying to repossess the lost glory of the state.
He said, “I believe this is not an accident but a part of the concerted efforts by the Lagos State Government to play a major role in leading sports. The turnout and registration for this event attests to the fact that Nigerians love sports and that all Nigerians need is an enabling environment to express their potentials.”
