Not fewer than 5,000 athletes were being expected to participate in the 2nd Ikogosi 17.5km Marathon Race scheduled to be held at the Ikogosi Warm Spring, Ikogosi Ekiti, Ekiti State, on November 8.
Organisers of the Marathon Race disclosed this at a press conference in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State capital, on Tuesday.
The Race Consultant, Femi Abegunde, said both elite and local runners will participate in the event organised by the Ikogosi Marathon Initiative in partnership with Ekiti State Government.
Abegunde stressed that the race was planned to compare with international marathons standards, assuring of security of lives and property and as well those of the athletes.
“The Ikogosi Marathon is more than a sporting event; it is a platform for tourism, health, and community development. The race will promote Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort as a global tourist attraction, boost local businesses through increased patronage, and encourage fitness and healthy living across Nigeria,” Abegunde said.
The consultant said the second edition, a 17.5km race was an improvement over the 10km race for maiden edition with over 2,000 runners.
“This edition is projected to welcome between 4,000 and 5,000 indigenous and elite runners, making it one of the most exciting long-distance races in the region,” he said.
He further disclosed that athletes will be rewarded with attractive prizes to encourage excellence.
According to Abegunde, winners of the male and female elite runners will receive N2million each, while the second prize is slated at N1.5m each for male and female in the elite category, and the third prize is N1m each for male and female.
As part of efforts to encourage Ekiti indigenes to participate as runners, Abegunde unveiled N1.5m prize each for male and female, N1m for second prize, while the third prize is slated for N500,000.
He added that the fourth to 10th indigenous runners, male and female, would also get prizes.
Ekiti State governor, Biodun Oyebanji described the Ikogosi Marathon as a flagship project that embodies his administration’s vision for sports development, tourism promotion, and youth empowerment.
Represented by Dr Olusola Osetoba, his technical adviser on Sports, Oyebanji stated that the state’s partnership with the Ikogosi Marathon Initiative demonstrated a shared commitment to positioning Ekiti as Nigeria’s leading sports-tourism destination.
Also speaking, Permanent Secretary, Ekiti State Ministry of Youths Development, Mrs Sola-Femi Adeluyi said the Ikogosi Marathon will help the youth to cultivate resilience and leadership, and boost economic activities.
Adeluyi assured the organisers of the support of the Ekiti youth for the success of the event.
