The Ekiti State Government, in partnership with the Ikogosi Marathon Initiative, has announced plans for the second edition of the Ikogosi Marathon Race.
The event, a 27.5-kilometre race, is scheduled to take place on November 8, 2025.
This year’s marathon aims to draw over 5,000 athletes and participants, showcasing the state’s scenic routes and natural attractions.
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The announcement was made during a press conference in Ado Ekiti yesterday, where Governor Biodun Oyebanji, represented by his Technical Advisor on Sports Development, Olusola Osetoba, highlighted his administration’s strong commitment to using sports and tourism as key drivers for economic growth and youth engagement.
Osetoba described the marathon as more than just a competition, emphasising its role in promoting healthy living and positioning the state on the global sporting map.
The race course will guide runners through the picturesque routes of Ilawe, culminating at the renowned Ikogosi Warm Springs resort.
The organisers, led by the marathon’s initiator, Femi Abegunde, stressed that the event is designed to merge athletic challenge with the beauty of Ekiti’s tourist destinations.
Abegunde commended Oyebanji’s consistent support for the event, noting that this partnership will enhance the visibility and credibility of the second edition.
He added that the governor’s vision is steadily transforming the state into a vibrant hub for sports tourism in Nigeria.
The Director General of the Bureau of Tourism Development, Ambassador Wale Ojo-Lanre, echoed these sentiments, calling the marathon a strategic event that aligns with the government’s vision of economic development through tourism and sports.
He projected that the race would not only attract visitors but also generate significant business for local hoteliers, transporters, artisans, and other service providers.
Organisers have set out an attractive prize structure to incentivise participation.
Elite winners will receive cash prizes of ₦2 million, ₦1.5 million, and ₦1 million for first, second, and third places, respectively.
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Indigenous athletes are also eligible for prizes, with the top six positions receiving awards ranging from ₦1.5 million to ₦50,000.
Registration for the 27.5km marathon is free for all Ekiti indigenes until November 1, and can be completed online at www.ikogosimarathon.com
