With just 20 days remaining until the highly anticipated 10th anniversary of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, excitement and expectations are reaching a fever pitch among road race enthusiasts and the general public.

This Gold Label race has solidified its place as one of the most prestigious marathons in the world, and the 2025 edition promises to be a spectacle like no other.

Set to take place on February 15, 2025, this year’s marathon is attracting the crème de la crème of the sports world, along with top dignitaries from various sectors. Among the notable personalities expected to grace the event are:
– Hon. Sunday Dare, current Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications to the President,
– Amaju Melvin Pinnick, FIFA Executive Board Member,
– Alhaji Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the National Sports Commission,
– Hon. Bukola Olopade, Director General of the National Sports Commission,
– Chief Solomon Ogba, Vice President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC).
– ⁠Sunday Odebode, President, Paralympic Committee of Nigeria (PCN)
– ⁠Tonobok Okowa, President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN).

The event will also bring together elite athletes from around the globe, further reinforcing Lagos as a global hub for sports and culture.

Over the years, the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon has not only showcased world-class athleticism but also contributed to tourism, youth development, and economic growth in Nigeria.

With the race marking its 10th anniversary, the organizers have promised an unforgettable experience, featuring innovations that will raise the standard of the marathon. Participants and spectators can expect seamless organization, international-standard hospitality, and electrifying performances from elite athletes and fun runners alike.

As the countdown continues, the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon is poised to reaffirm its position as a beacon of excellence in the world of long-distance running.

The entire nation eagerly awaits this landmark event, which celebrates athleticism, unity, and the resilience of the human spirit.

Britain’s Emma Raducanu suffered a disappointing defeat to world number 101 Cristina Bucsa of Spain in the opening round of the Singapore Open.

The 22-year-old was playing for the first time since her 6-1 6-0 third round loss to Iga Swiatek at the Australian Open and the news her coach Nick Cavaday was stepping back from the role to “prioritise getting back to full health”.

But in a gruelling encounter lasting three hours and three minutes and featuring 17 breaks of service, Bucsa came through 5-7 7-5 7-5 against the seventh seed in the pair’s first meeting.

The Spaniard had served for the opening set at 5-4 up but Raducanu, ranked 56, rattled off the next three games to take control of the match.

The second set started with three consecutive breaks of service to leave Bucsa 3-1 and then 4-2 up but Raducanu continued to battle and another run of three games in a row saw her go 5-4 up but Bucsa responded with the next three games to level the match.

Both players struggled to hold serve in the decider but although a weary-looking Raducanu dug deep to edge 5-4 ahead, Bucsa held and then broke her opponent at a crucial time to leave her serving for the match.

The British number two saved a couple of match points but Bucsa, the Olympic women’s doubles bronze medallist, quickly earned another and this time Raducanu netted.

Bucsa will next face either Sijia Wei of China or Mananchaya Sawangkaew of Thailand in the last 16.

Simona Halep has withdrawn from Australian Open qualifying and will delay the start of her 2025 season after feeling pain in her knee and shoulder.

The former world number one, 33, received a wildcard from tournament organisers last week but said she felt discomfort after playing at the World Tennis League exhibition event in Abu Dhabi.

Halep was given a four-year doping ban that was reduced to nine months this year, and always maintained her innocence after being charged with two separate doping offences.

Now the former French Open and Wimbledon champion is trying to re-establish herself on tour, with injuries not helping her cause.

“After discussing with my team at length, we agreed it is sensible to delay the start of my season,” the Romanian wrote on Instagram.

She will also miss next week’s Auckland Classic, which is one of the main warm-up events for the Australian Open.

Halep, who was runner-up to Caroline Wozniacki at the 2018 Australian Open, is now ranked a lowly 877 in the world.

She said she will “rest up” and intends to return at her home event in Cluj, Romania in early February.

Qualifying for the Australian Open runs from 6-9 January and the opening Grand Slam of 2025 starts on 12 January.