By Elizabeth ADENUGA
Philibus Sharabutu, the first Nigerian male to cross the finish line at the 2016 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, says that he had the strength to run but his body wasn’t tuned to the race.
TBI Africa said Sharabutu, who recently graduated from the Nigerian Police College, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos that his training before the race was not rigorous as it ought to be.
“I have the strength but my body did not carrying me, I give God the glory for everything. I will go and prepare again, maybe my body wasn’t strong for the Access Bank race.
“I was surprised; I have never had it this bad, finishing in the 10th position in the Nigerian category.
“I am hoping to participate in other marathons this year, I will put it in prayers and I am also going to prepare well ahead of other competitions,” he said.
NAN reports that Sharabutu did not also make the first 20 in the international category.
Reacting to his age slowing him down at the race, Sharabutu said age was not telling on him, adding that the race would have been an advantage for him.
According to him, you get advanced in marathon, especially when you are getting to your 30s”.
He appealed to corporate organisations to sponsor distance runners in participating in international competitions and also help in their nutrition.
“We feed ourselves, we need help because Kenyans have support and it is working for them.
“The Kenyans are not better than us, they train and do not do crash programme like what most of us do here. If only we can be camped for six months, we will do well,” he said.
He said that he was not leaving marathon anytime soon, adding that he would concentrate more on training since he had graduated from the Police College.
“I am not leaving marathon anytime soon because I want to drop my time to 2:16:00 seconds, that is my target and after achieving this, I will be comfortable,” he said.
NAN reports that the first Nigerian got N3 million, second position went home with N2 million, while the third got N1 million.
