Arrangements have been concluded for the second edition of the 14-kilometer Calabar Marathon expected to provide an ample platform for budding athletic talents in the state and beyond to hit the global limelight.
To ensure a hitch-free competition, a total of six hundred and fifty thousand naira have been paid to winners of the first edition of the event held in 2021.
Findings by The BEAGLES NEWS revealed that over 250 runners across the country and beyond have signaled their interest in participating in the race billed for Saturday, 30th March, 2024.
Explaining the government's intention behind the race, Managing Director of Cross River State Tourism Bureau, Ekpenyong Ojoi told The BEAGLES NEWS that the race is designed "To provide an avenue for youths to exhibit natural talent and divert attention from negative tendencies'
In his words' The Calabar Marathon is one of the key initiatives endorsed by Governor Bassey Otu as a strategic step to take our youths from the streets.
"You would agree with me that idleness breeds mischief, criminality, drug abuse, cultism, and other vices inimical to the well-being of our youths and the society at large."
The 2nd Calabar Marathons will start at the famous Millenium Park by 7:00 am and will follow through the Carnival Calabar en route to Marina Resort, through U.J. Esuene Stadium's main gate by the House of Assembly.
The marathon is packaged by the Tourism Bureau in partnership with the Calabar Marathon Foundation.
The winner will cart home the sum of N500.000 in both male and female categories, second place attracts N300.000 while third place finishers will smile home with N200.000.
Recall that the first edition of the Calabar Marathon took place in 2021.
By Judex Okoro, The Beagle News
