Access Bank Lagos City Marathon: Deborah Pam steps up preparation after injury setback

One of Nigeria’s leading road runners, Deborah Pam, has promised to give a good account of herself at the fast-approaching Access Bank Lagos City Marathon.

Pam who ended the year 2015 on a low with an injury cupped in training back in November while preparing for the last Aba Half Marathon said she has chosen to work extra hard not just to be fit to compete at the Lagos City Marathon but more importantly to give a credible performance like she has been synonymous to in the long distance races.

“I had a small knock on my knee while preparing for the Aba half marathon, but I am much more better now, I am aware of the Lagos Marathon and I am already preparing for it “ Pam stated form her Jos, Plateau State base.

With a long list of honours from the Obudu Mountain Race, Okpepe Road Race and the Splash FM Integrity Full Marathon race which is staged annually in Ibadan among others, Pam said she is positive she could add the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon to her laurels. 

“It feels great to be a champion all the time, I know I am already popular here in Nigeria as I always finish ahead of other local athletes but I will be more fulfilled to outrun the international athletes coming from Kenya and across the world very soon”

Pam, who emerged the best Nigerian woman during the last two editions of Okpekpe road race, won the last 42km Ibadan marathon in a record time of 3hrs, 3mins and 23secs; bettering the 3:06:51 she set to win the 42km marathon in 2013.

Already organisers have announced that the winners of both the men and women’s events at the maiden edition of the Lagos City Marathon will go home with $50 000 each, while second and third place finishers will take $40 000 and $30 000 respectively.

The top 20 Nigerians will also be rewarded win cash prizes starting from N1 million, while the second and third positions will settle for N750 000 and N500 000 respectively.

The Access Bank Lagos City Marathon is scheduled for February 6, 2016 at 7am. The start point is National Stadium, Lagos and the finish point Eko Atlantics.