By Funsho Arogundade
Awele Vivian Elumelu is, unarguably, a woman of many accomplishments. Despite being married to one of Africa’s most prominent entrepreneurs and philanthropists, Tony O. Elumelu, this dynamic lady has made a mark in her own right —as a medical doctor, smart entrepreneur and co-founder of a non-profit. Like her husband, Awele sees philanthropy as a big deal. Beyond the glam, she has quietly been sharing love and hope with the downtrodden and others who need it most. At one point, CNN dubbed Awele and Tony as a power couple due to their dedication to philanthropy.
With a lot of media interest surrounding the Elumelu brand as a result of their family social status, Awele chose to avoid the spotlight. However, underneath her near low profile is a busy woman making strategic business moves as a high-profile executive whilst effectively running her home. She has been able to find the perfect balance. But what many are just getting to know about this mother-of-seven is the fact that she is an avid athlete and fitness freak. To her, physical fitness is not merely about endurance but achieving a state where the body becomes an ally to the mind’s aspirations: a seamless harmony of body, mind, and purpose. In furtherance, Awele, 54, has featured in many athletic events in Nigeria, Europe and the United States of America, especially marathon races.
Awele’s interest in marathons is not an isolated pursuit but part of her larger commitment to a holistic well-being as what started as a simple lockdown hobby in 2020 —when she turned 50— has turned into an incredibly rewarding journey with Awele participating in six international marathon meets. She has crossed the finish line of the New York Marathon, participated in the London Marathon, and ran and completed the 42km Manchester Marathon also in the United Kingdom. In October last year, Awele increased the pace by competing in the 42.2 km Bank of America Chicago Marathon, while Berlin Marathon in Germany was her fifth conquest. She did not just claim another medal; she exemplified the boundless spirit of resilience, healthful living and ambition as she breasted the tape of the gruelling 42.195-kilometre race. Last weekend, the amazing lady made her first trip to the East Asian nation of Japan to participate, breast the tape and pick a medal at the popular Tokyo Marathon 2025.