Wheelchair Runner Wants Increased Lagos Marathon Prize

Winner of the 2017 Wheelchair event of the Lagos City Marathon, Sefiu Ojeleye, has appealed to organisers of the run to increase the prize money for the category.

Ojeleye, who finished second in the men’s category of this year’s race, said by increasing the prize money, more wheelchair runners would be attracted to the event.

“Participating in this event is not an easy task for wheelchair runners but we are happy to be part of the race again this year,” he told NAN on Saturday.

“The organisers have done so much to encourage physically challenged athletes but I believe they can still do more in the area of cash reward.

“We hope there will be an improvement in that area in the next edition.’’

He said he was sad to finish in second, but vowed to return better next time.

“The winner this year came from abroad but that is not be the reason why I lost to him, I will comeback better next year,’’ he said.

Forty wheelchair athletes took part in this year’s edition, with the winner in the male and female events receiving cash prizes of N1 million naira each.