Ikogosi Race Draws 8,000 Runners, Boosts Ekiti State Economic

The fourth edition of the Ikogosi 17.5km Race attracted more than 8,000 participants from 28 Nigerian states and three African countries, generating increased business activities and tourism in Ekiti State.

The race, held on Saturday, 31 October, recorded about 13,700 registrations, with participants, officials and visitors arriving from across Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and Ethiopia.

The influx of visitors reportedly boosted businesses in hospitality, transportation, agriculture, food services and other sectors, particularly in Ikogosi-Ekiti, Ilawe-Ekiti and Ado-Ekiti.

Hotels monitored by the organisers in Ikogosi and neighbouring communities recorded full occupancy during the race weekend. The Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort, which hosted the finish-line activities, and six selected hotels in Ado-Ekiti also recorded full bookings.

Local farmers supplied fruits, including oranges, watermelons and bananas, for participants, while food vendors and transport operators benefited from increased patronage.

The event also provided temporary employment for 200 paid volunteers, while local businesses were contracted for logistics, event production, photography, videography and digital content services.

Ekiti-based businesses produced 8,000 running vests and 8,000 numbered race bibs for participants, while indigenous musicians and entertainers performed at the finish line.

Founder of the Ikogosi Marathon Initiative, Makinde Araoye, said the race was established to use athletics as a means of promoting tourism and creating economic opportunities for host communities.

He said the initiative had invested about N550 million in organising its sporting events since its establishment, with funding provided exclusively by the MKD Araoye Foundation.

According to Araoye, the economic benefits of the competition extend beyond the race weekend to include employment, local procurement and opportunities for small businesses.

The 2026 edition featured a total prize purse of ₦30 million, with awards for the top 20 finishers in both the men’s and women’s categories. Forty indigenes of Ekiti State also received cash prizes, while the male and female winners earned ₦2 million each.

However, the organisers acknowledged operational challenges during the competition, particularly with starting-line infrastructure, water distribution and the collection of finishers’ medals.

They said medical assistance was provided to injured participants, while arrangements were being made to distribute outstanding medals to verified finishers.

The organisers also said they were reviewing measures to improve safety, hydration, crowd management and event infrastructure ahead of the next edition.

About 100 medical practitioners were engaged for the race, while the Nigeria Police Force provided security. The Federal Road Safety Corps and Ekiti State Traffic Management Agency supported traffic control and road diversions.

The initiative also currently employs 10 permanent staff and provides accommodation for 12 National Youth Service Corps members.

The organisers said plans were under way to stage an international edition in 2027, while calling for increased government and private-sector support to expand the competition.

They identified stronger public-private partnerships and corporate sponsorship as necessary to improve the event’s organisation, attract more international participants and create additional economic opportunities for host communities.

The Ikogosi Race was established in 2014 as a sporting initiative aimed at promoting Ekiti State’s tourism potential through road running.