By Eunice Nnachi
Over 250 marathoners are expected to take part in SDD Marathon in the elite category, while the teen category will feature 50 secondary schools in Bayelsa State with the participating school athletes set to go home with school bags courtesy of the Mrs Gloria Diri Foundation.
The fourth edition of the Bayelsa City Marathon tagged “SDD Marathon” is set to take center stage this weekend on Saturday, 10th February, 2024 according to the organizers of the marathon.
In an interactive session with the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Bayelsa State chapter at NUJ Press Center in Yenagoa, the Initiator Mr Igbeta Odonkumo said the fourth edition will feature Elite and Teen Category.
Mr Igbeta stated that over 250 marathoners are expected to take part in the elite category while the teen category will feature 50 secondary schools in Bayelsa State with the participating school athletes set to go home with school bags courtesy of the Mrs Gloria Diri Foundation.
Mr Igbeta Odonkumo who is the chairman of the Bayelsa Marathon Club noted that the 21 kilometers Elite Category will start from 7am at the Glory Drive, Back of Akenfa Junction in Yenagoa to terminate at the Peace Park, Opposite Government House while the Teen Category which will be within the age bracket of 13 -16 years and those who will be running for Leisure in a 5 Kilometer race will start from Otiotio junction and end at Peace Park Opposite government house Yenagoa.
The chairman of the Sport Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Bayelsa State Chapter, Mr Alambo Datonye Fred in response praised the organizers of the Bayelsa Marathon for upcoming with the events while giving the assurance that the sport writers would give their support to the organizers to promote and publicize the event.
The winner’s of the event in the Male and Female elite category will go home with the sum of #500,000 each while the second and third place athletes will smile home with cash prizes as well.
The governor, Sen. Douye Diri and other top government dignitaries are expected to grace the marathon event.
