Up to ₦8.5 million was and donated for medical intervention projects to the Alheri Leprosy Colony in Kwali, Abuja through a charity half marathon event organised by Run Club Abuja.

The Charity Half Marathon kicked off at 6:30hrs from the Central Park, Central Business District, Abuja through Wuse 2, to Maitama then back to the Central Park with 400 participants including a 69-year-old woman, Maria Ojo.

Addressing newsmen at the event, the President of Run Club Abuja, Emmanuel Blaze Otokpa, said the Charity Half Marathon themed “Lace Up”, targeted to generate ₦10,000,000 (Ten Million Naira), through sponsorship and registrations by participants as part of their way of giving back to society.

“Since we already run to keep fit and to live a healthy lifestyle, we can actually use that same avenue to try and do good to people in our immediate society.

“We are here with our partners, well wishers and people who just want to give back to society through running this race,” he said.

The Club President said annually, the marathon focused on a specific humanitarian purpose of which the Leprosy Colony was selected to be a beneficiary for 2024’s edition.

Chairman of the local organising community of the Marathon, Aworinde Ola-Tokunbo noted that the “Lace Up” Half Marathon was a success, recalling that annually Run Club Abuja had generated more funds for humanitarian courses— ₦2,000,000 in 2021, ₦3,200,000 in 2022, ₦5,000,000 in 2023 and the ₦10,000,000 target for 2024.

Pabina Yinkere, Head of Asset Management Team, Norrenberger Group, the headline sponsors of the event described it as a “noble cause ”aligning with the vision of the group, as it aimed to support the community health ceentre at the Leprosy Colony, hence the partnership.

“As a responsible organisation we also key in to support noble causes such as this. We think everyone deserves the right to healthcare,” Yinkere said.

Secretary of the Leprosy Colony, Salihu Aliyu, observed that the victims of the disease had faced a variety of challenges including poor healthcare and was thankful for the donation, noting that it will go a long way.

A 69-year-old Maria Ojo who participated alongside her son Praise Ojo, said she feels great and excited running for charity, explaining that she had longed to be part of such humanitarian gesture and felt satisfied fulfilling that desire at the event.

Another participant, Sa’ad Kamaldeen, explained that, “it’s always a good thing doing what you love especially doing it for a good cause”.

He advocated for more communal efforts and events that carries everyone along in doing their own bit for humanity.

Ocheni Faith who has now participated in the four editions of the RCA Charity Marathon said, “I love that we’re doing this, giving back to the society.”