By Meletus EZE
A Real Estate investor, Bamidele Onalaja, has said his company “Revolution Plus” added an innovation to the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon by wooing athletes with plots of land.
TBI Africa said Onalaja told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of the marathon held on Saturday that the sponsorship deal of giving out plots of land would last for five years.
“This is the first time we are participating in the marathon as a title sponsor, after we signed a five-year deal with the organisers.
“The tournament is a big one and highly impressive; so, we taught of adding more flair to the race by giving a plot of land to the winners which is by no means a small deal.
“This is an innovation to encourage athletes to run for a prize that is worthwhile because having a plot of land anywhere is the starting point of being a landlord.
“We want to help our athletes to be better and be in control of their lives, being a landlord is something great to cherish,” he said.
On his assessment of the marathon, the land merchant said that aside of the health benefit of the race, it was entertaining.
“The race has a lots of benefits from the competitive aspect to the health and also entertainment aspect of it. It is a total package.
“Running the race will keep more people fit and healthy and also it affords many nationals to have a feel of what our beautiful country, Nigeria and Lagos looks like,” he said.
NAN reports that Ethiopia’s Sintayehu Legesse won the male event returning the time of 2:17:27secs, while Kenyas Joshua Kipkorir returned 2:18:14secs to place second and Ethiopia’s Yegon William with the time of 2:19:02secs came third.
For the female category, Dinke Messeret of Ethiopia with 2:47:58secs emerged winner, while her compatriot Herepa Alemnshe came second with a time of 2:49:01secs.
Kebena Chala Kebena returned a time of 2:49:04secs to clinch third position.
