Athletes Flood Enugu Marathon As Registration Gathers Momentum

The second edition of the Enugu City International Marathon is attracting strong interest from elite, grassroots and international athletes as preparations intensify for the 29 August race.

Organised by Nilayo Sports Management with the support of the Enugu State Government, the marathon is positioning itself as a major road-running event aimed at promoting sports, tourism, youth development and economic activity in the South-East.

Chief Executive Officer of Nilayo Sports Management, Yetunde Olopade, expressed satisfaction with the growing number of athletes registering for the competition.

“I am really impressed with the registration turnout. Both local and international athletes and elite athletes have been trooping out to register for this marathon, and I must say I am impressed,” Olopade said.

She said the level of participation demonstrated growing confidence in the Enugu City Marathon as a competitive platform that can attract athletes from Nigeria and beyond.

With registration still open, Olopade urged young and emerging athletes in the South-East and South-South regions to take advantage of the opportunity to compete alongside established runners.

“I still want to use this medium to call on young and talented athletes from the South-South and South-East regions to go out and register, as registration is still ongoing,” she said.

According to the organisers, the event is expected to provide an important platform for discovering and nurturing new athletic talent while giving Nigerian runners an opportunity to compete on home soil.

The organisers said preparations for logistics, security, medical services and hospitality for elite athletes were at an advanced stage as the race date approaches.

Registration for the marathon remains open, with athletes encouraged to secure their places ahead of the event.

The organisers expressed optimism that the second edition would further establish the Enugu City International Marathon as an annual sporting attraction, while contributing to the state’s tourism profile and generating wider economic opportunities.