Auwal Aminu from Kogi State was among the thousands of participants at the 2026 edition of the Lagos City Marathon, where he competed alongside his nephew in a moment that blended personal fulfillment, mentorship, and sporting passion.
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Speaking with Sports247 after the race, Aminu revealed that his journey with the Lagos City Marathon dates back to 2019, when he first took on the demanding 42-kilometre distance.
Since then, he has adjusted his ambitions, opting for the 10-kilometre race in subsequent editions. According to him, the decision was influenced largely by age and physical demands.
“I’ve been running it since 2019. My first participation was the 42 kilometres, but ever since then I’ve been running 10 kilometres,” Aminu said. “I don’t have the strength again. Age is creeping in on me.”
Aminu clarified that he is not a former professional athlete but someone driven purely by passion for running. What began as a recreational activity has gradually transformed into a disciplined routine that has yielded visible improvement.
He highlighted his performance at this year’s race, completing the 10-kilometre distance in 43 minutes, 26 seconds, a marked improvement from his 55 minutes, 33 seconds finish in the previous edition.
“I just love running,” he explained. “With time, I improved entirely. This year I ran 43 minutes, 26 seconds. Last year it was around 55 minutes.”
Beyond personal progress, Aminu emphasized the health benefits of running and encouraged Nigerians to adopt regular physical activity, regardless of age or fitness level. He advised that even light jogging on weekends can build endurance over time and improve overall wellbeing.
“Even if you can’t do tedious exercises, you can involve yourself in weekly runs—Saturday or Sunday, just light jogging,” he said. “With time, your body will get used to it, then you can add other exercises to improve your fitness.”
A major highlight of Aminu’s marathon story is his mentorship of his nephew, whom he personally encouraged and trained to take up running at a young age. He disclosed that his motivation stems from a desire to help the young athlete achieve what he could not during his own prime years.
“What I couldn’t make during my own prime, I want him to achieve,” Aminu noted. “I want him to go out there as a professional runner and keep winning. That’s why I started him very early.”
He added, with a smile, that while his nephew has finished ahead of him in recent competitions, he was determined to reassert his seniority at this year’s race. “The last two competitions, he finished before me. But today I told him, ‘I’m still your boss,’ so I finished before him.”
Looking ahead, Aminu confirmed his intention to return for future editions of the marathon, expressing hope that his nephew will soon be competing for prizes. He also praised the organization of the 2026 race, describing it as a clear improvement on previous years, with increased participation and better coordination.
For Aminu, the Lagos City Marathon remains more than just a sporting event—it is a platform for healthy living, personal progress, and the passing on of dreams from one generation to the next.
