Lagos – Aderonke Olumudi, a gold medallist at the U.S., Irving Marathon says she will not compete at the forthcoming Access Bank Lagos City Marathon.
The event has been scheduled for Feb. 6, 2016.
Olumudi, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos, said the time for the event was short for her to prepare adequately.
“I will not be competing because it is a full marathon. If I want to participate in a full marathon, I ought to have started training since October.
“Just one or two months to the competition is not enough time for me. If it is half marathon, I will not have hesitated to take part.
“To me, it is not really about the prize money, although it is mouth-watering but the time is short for me,” the marathoner said.
NAN reports that 50, 000 dollars would be up for grabs by the winner, while the runner-up would go home with 40,000 dollars.
The third place marathoner would get 30, 000 dollars.
According to the organisers, any Nigerian that tops other local participants would receive N1 million, the second placed Nigerian would receive N750, 000, while N500,000 would go to the third place winner.
Olumudi, also a silver medallist at the 42km ICPC/Splash fm Marathon in 2010 also appealed to sponsors to help her to participate at international competitions.
The marathoner from Kogi State added that the she could attend a competition that could have boosted her training because of her inability to secure a flight to the event.
“Sincerely, I had visas for the two competitions but rallying for money to secure my flight was not forthcoming.
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“At times, I have to sell some of my things to participate in international events. I really hope philanthropists, corporate organisations can help me,” she said.
She also won gold at the 2013 Zhuhai International 10km half marathon race in China.
Olumudi won a bronze medal at the 21km Accra International Marathon in 2012. (NAN)
