Nigeria’s top elite runners, Emmanuel Gyang and Deborah Pam, have stepped up their preparations for the inaugural Abuja International Marathon (AIM) slated for December 17, 2022 in the Federal Capital city, Abuja.
Already, the organisers have promised an elite cast of runners with some of the world’s top runners from Kenya and Ethiopia confirmed for the race.
AIM organisers are aiming to achieve their objective of becoming the first race in Nigeria to have an elite men’s field that will return a sub 2:10 minutes.
Instead of being jittery about the world-class runners that would be in Abuja for the marathon, Nigerian elite runners are excited and ready for the challenge.
Gyang and Pam, who have both won several accolades in the past years, expressed delight that they would be rubbing shoulders with some of the best runners across the world in a few months’ time.
According to Gyang, his preparations have been going on well and his major mission in the December race is to lower his Personal Best time which is at 2hrs 25 minutes presently.
“Of course, I am delighted we are having an international race of this magnitude in Abuja, unlike other races that I have to embark on long journeys, this is very close to my base in Jos and it should have a positive effect on my performance” Gyang declared.
“I am aware that there will be runners from across the world in Abuja, especially the Kenyans and Ethiopians, what I can say is that we would give them a good challenge, beyond anything else, my target is to lower my PB to at least 2hrs.18mins thereabout,” he added.
Just like Gyang, Pam has described the Abuja International Marathon as her biggest race for 2022, and she is keen to finish the year on a high.
“Since my childbirth, I have been coming back to run gradually. The Abuja International Marathon is one of my top targets for the year and I am confident I will do well by God’s grace,” Pam assured.
