Organisers of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon have explained why this year’s edition is taking a different route.

The 11th edition, which hold on February 14, will mark a historic milestone as the 42km marathon, will for the first time, pass through sections of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Road, and finish at the iconic Eko Atlantic City.

It will start at ORCA Mall on Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, instead of its usual takeoff point in Surulere.

According to the Chief Executive Officer of Nilayo Sports Management, Mrs Yetunde Olopade, the marathon has evolved far more than a road race, unearthing athletic stars, and in the process amplified Africa’s voice on the global marathon stage, and at the same time, driven significant economic activity across Lagos.

In a chat with The Guardian, on Friday, Mrs. Olopade said: “As you know, the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon is a World Athletics Gold Label race, and we will continue to set new standards for road racing on Africa continent.

“We decided to add more colour to the Marathon this year by routing it through some parts of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Road for both our local and foreign athletes to have a feel of it for the first time.

“Apart from running on the brand new Lagos-Cabalar Costal Road, this year, the race stands tall as a symbol of 11 years of consistency, growth, and continental pride, firmly established as one of Africa’s most anticipated sporting events. From transportation and hospitality to small businesses, the event continues to stimulate the local economy, creating hundreds of direct jobs and thousands of indirect employment opportunities annually,” she stated.