By Solomon Nwoke
Less than six weeks to the start of the centenary beach marathon in Lagos, runners are already scrambling for the entry forms at designated centers.

The second edition of the beach marathon which holds on October 1st 2013 was planned in commemoration of Nigeria’s 100 years as a nation and to also create awareness on the rampaging ocean surge in the Lagos beach coast line. It will attract popular Nigerian entertainment personalities and over a 100 participants.

The prize money for top finisher has been raised from N75, 000.00 given out last year to N100.000.00, second placed athletes will pocket N50.000 while the third prize winner will go home with the sum of N25.000.00. There will be other consolation prizes.

Apart from raising awareness for the ocean surge in Lagos, it’s also aimed at engaging the teeming youth of Nigeria in meaningful physical exercise, provide cervical cancer education and advocacy programme for awareness on the scourge in the nooks and crannies of the country.

Speaking on the centenary marathon, sponsor of the event, Barrister Phillips  Obuesi said, “this year’s  Community Agenda For Peace in close collaboration with the Combat Cervical Cancer will be hosting the Centenary Beach Marathon. Funds generated from this event will go to support free screenings and media enlightenment campaigns on the scourge of cervical cancer in sub-saharan Africa like Nigeria”

He said that contestants must be between the age brackets of 16 – 35years  with evidence of physical fitness and will also participate in their pre-marathon light aerobics.