Ikogosi Marathon to groom 10 Ekiti athletes

Among dignitaries at the marathon event were the former Governor of Ekiti State, Chief Segun Oni; former presidential aide, Senator Babafemi Ojudu; Ekiti State House of Assembly Speaker, Adeoye Aribasoye; the Director General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism, Dr Abisoye Fagade; and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Students Engagement, Sunday Asefon.

The Ikogosi Marathon Initiative has said it will nurture 10 indigenous athletes discovered during the competition and provide them with the necessary support to develop their careers.

The organiser of the initiative, Makinde Araoye, called on the Ekiti State Government, particularly the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, to invest in the 10 athletes, noting that sustained government support could help them become internationally competitive.

Araoye spoke at the closing ceremony of the 2026 edition of the 17.5km Ikogosi Marathon, held at the Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort, Ikogosi Ekiti, on Saturday.

The Ikogosi Marathon Initiative was established in 2014 as a community-based sporting event aimed at promoting athletics, discovering young talents and using sports to showcase Ekiti State’s tourism potential.

What began as a modest road race has gradually developed into a larger sporting event, attracting elite athletes, recreational runners and participants from different parts of the country. The 2025 edition marked the event’s return after a period of inactivity and featured the 17.5km race distance, which was retained for the 2026 edition.

The marathon also draws attention to the Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort, one of Ekiti State’s most prominent tourist attractions. The resort is renowned for its unusual natural feature, where warm and cold springs flow side by side and meet without losing their distinct temperatures. Located in Ikogosi Ekiti, the attraction has long been associated with the state’s efforts to promote tourism and create economic opportunities for surrounding communities.

The marathon, which was the fourth edition of the annual event, started at Ilawe Ekiti in the Ekiti South-West Local Government Area and ended at the Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort in Ikogosi Ekiti, Ekiti West Local Government Area.

The organiser, who said the 10 identified indigenous athletes would receive financial rewards, added that the initiative would also support their participation in international competitions.

“The plan of the Ikogosi Marathon Initiative is to nurture these 10 athletes. Apart from the prizes they will receive, we also intend to sponsor them to participate in international athletics competitions. That is part of our vision,” he said.

Araoye said the 2026 edition recorded remarkable growth, expressing optimism that the 2027 edition would be upgraded to an international marathon to attract more foreign athletes and create opportunities for Nigerian long-distance runners.

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He said, “14,000 persons, including international participants from Kenya and Ethiopia, as well as athletes from 28 states of the federation, registered for the race.

“We designed the initiative to promote athletics and also project Ekiti State on the international stage, stimulate economic activities, encourage tourism and provide opportunities for young people to discover and develop their sporting talents.

“We expect companies operating in Ekiti State to support the Ikogosi Marathon Initiative. The plan of the Ikogosi Marathon Initiative is to attract corporate organisations that can support the development of Ekiti State through this initiative.”

The organiser, who commended Governor Biodun Oyebanji for providing an enabling environment for the successful hosting of the event, said the initiative had been largely self-funded since its inception but required greater corporate participation to sustain its growth.

He said, “My general impression is that Ekiti State is gradually being placed on the global map. We can see that the state’s economy is growing, its youths are being developed and empowered, and our communities are also witnessing development. That is the essence of the Ikogosi Marathon Initiative.”

At the event, Gyang James from Plateau State emerged as the winner in the elite male category after completing the race in 57 minutes, earning N2.5m in prize money.

His brother, Francis James, finished second in 58 minutes and received N2m, while Rochas Sunday came third in 59 minutes to win N1m.

The winners in the elite female category were Teyei Davou, first; Tanko Nvou, second; and Vivian Obadiah, third.

In the Ekiti indigenous male category, Adeyemi Tunde finished first to claim N2m, while Abiodun Adetiba came second with N1.5m. Sunday Emmanuel finished third and received N1m.

In the Ekiti indigenous female category, Arinde Miracle emerged winner, while Bako Gift finished second and Ademisoye Adesewa came third.

Dignitaries at the event included a former Governor of Ekiti State, Chief Segun Oni; a former presidential aide, Senator Babafemi Ojudu; the Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Adeoye Aribasoye; the Director-General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism, Dr Abisoye Fagade; and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Students Engagement, Sunday Asefon.