By Daniel Edu
Joy Abiye, a member of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has secured victory for the second time in the 2023 Lagos Women Run.
Hailing from Okitipupa, Ondo State, Abiye outperformed fellow runners from Plateau to claim the top spot. Crossing the finish line with a remarkable time of 33:41:4 in the 10km Lagos Women Run 2021, she was awarded a cash prize of N1 million.
The 8th edition of the run attracted participation from over 50,000 women globally. The race commenced at 7:00 a.m. at Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) and concluded at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, encompassing the scenic loop of Lagos Island and parts of Victoria Island.
Deborah Pam, a seasoned long-distance runner from Plateau and the victor among local marathoners at the 2023 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, secured the second position. Patience Dalyop, also from Plateau, claimed the third spot, followed by Elizabeth Nuhu in fourth place. Vera Yohanna, another accomplished veteran, finished in fifth place.
Expressing her elation at securing victory once again, Abiye shared, “I am very excited about winning again because I trained well for this and prepared myself mentally. I was unable to win last year and subsequently came fourth due to an injury. But this year, I dedicated myself to it, and thank God I won.”