By Patrick Omorodion
Following the success of the Nigeria Independence Corporate Run held last year, the Lagos State Sports Endowment Fund (LSSEF) has kicked started plans for the 2011 edition with a briefing in Lagos.

Executive Secretary of the LSSEF, Mr Babatunde Bank-Anthony disclosed in Lagos  that the 2011 earlier scheduled to hold on October 2, 2011 to mark Nigeria’s 51st Independence has been shifted to November 7, 2011.

As usual, the start point for the mini-marathon is the Tafawa Balewa Square while the finish point is at the Eko Atlantic City, Bar Beach in Victoria Island, Mr Bank-Anthony said, adding that about 3,000 participants are expected to take part like in last year’s edition.

He said that the 2011 Run is important for Lagos State as the LSSEF expects to plough some of the proceeds into ensuring that the State not only hosts the 2012 National Sports Festival well, but that her athletes will be well prepared to do the state proud.

“We expect a well organised National Sports Festival because we don’t want to disappoint Nigerians. As a result funds realised from the marathon will be ploughed into sports development for the state’s participation at the festival,” he said.

He added that “the LSSEF has devised a gradual plan help achieve its set objectives of sports development in Lagos via the grass-roots and the nurturing of world class athletes which in turn would garner laurels at local and international sporting competitions.”

The Executive Secretary said that participants can collect registration forms from the LSSEF office at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere or fill them online at www.lssef.com, adding that “even though there is monetary reward for winners, fitness of the participants is more paramount to the LSSEF and therefore participants must be certified fit by a medical doctor.”

“The benefits accruable to participants are enormous. Research has shown that physical exercise enhances blood circulation, strengthens the heart, enhances mental activity, improves one’s productivity, promotes life span (etc.), hence the theme: Let’s Run for a Healthier Nigeria an a Brighter Rewarding Future,” Bank-Anthony stressed.