Organisers of the 2025 Ikogosi 17.5km Marathon have announced that no fewer than 5,000 athletes are expected to compete in the second edition of the race, scheduled for November 8 at the iconic Ikogosi Warm Spring, Ikogosi-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
Race Consultant Femi Abegunde disclosed this during a press conference in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday, noting that the competition, organised by the Ikogosi Marathon Initiative in partnership with the Ekiti State Government, would feature both elite and indigenous runners.
The marathon, first staged in 2023 with a 10km route and over 2,000 participants, is fast becoming a signature event blending sports, tourism, and youth development.
Abegunde highlighted that substantial prize money had been set aside to reward excellence.
The top prize for elite male and female winners is pegged at ₦2 million each, while second-place finishers will receive ₦1.5 million. The third-place winners will be rewarded with ₦1 million apiece.
To further promote local talent, indigenous Ekiti runners will compete for a separate prize pool. The first prize in this category is ₦1.5 million, with ₦1 million for second place and ₦500,000 for third. Cash awards will also extend to runners finishing between fourth and tenth positions.
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Permanent Secretary of the Ekiti Ministry of Youth Development, Mrs. Sola-Femi Adeluyi, lauded the initiative, saying it would foster resilience, leadership, and boost the state’s economy.
Governor Biodun Oyebanji, represented by his Technical Adviser on Sports, Dr. Olusola Osetoba, described the marathon as a flagship project aligning with his administration’s vision for sports development, youth empowerment, and tourism promotion.
“The Ikogosi Marathon demonstrates our shared commitment to positioning Ekiti as Nigeria’s leading sports-tourism destination,” Oyebanji said.
The host venue, Ikogosi Warm Spring, is one of Nigeria’s most remarkable natural wonders, famed for its rare convergence of warm and cold springs that flow side by side without mixing. Over the years, it has been developed into a resort destination, serving as a symbol of Ekiti’s natural heritage and untapped tourism potential.