The 12th edition of the annual Ibadan city marathon relay which was put on hold due to Covid 19 among other factors will attract previous winners in game where #4million will be contested for by the competing athletes.
Speaking in Ibadan during the press conference held ahead of the race at the media center of the Obafemi Awolowo stadium, Ibadan, the General Manager Operations of Splash FM Tunde Olawuwo revealed that no fewer than 700 athletes have registered for the race which will be held next Sunday along routes that include Liberty stadium to Mobil ring road, mile 110,Alesinloye, Eleyele, Sango ,Ojoo, Iwo road, Gate, Beere Molete and back to the Liberty Stadium now Obafemi Awolowo stadium.
Olawuwo stated that previous winners such as Friday Yohana, Istafanus Peter, Ritji Timothy , Matthew Polit, Elizabeth Nuhu and Kisitmwa shall all be scrambling for the sum of one million, two hundred thousand Naira as the winners price while the events proper shall cost over #30m to organize.
He said further that the 42 km full marathon race will never experience any hitch whatsoever even though the race seems to be starting all over again just as the event begins by 7.00 am prompt while para military forces such as the Police, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Civil Defence and the Amotekun will be engaged to ensure that nothing on-towards happens during the race.
Olawuwo said that the 12th edition of the 42 kilometer race which is resuming after a four year break will also have 20 top finishers besides the first 10 that will be rewarded off the #4m naira price money earmarked for the event.
He pointed out that water points will be made available for the marathoners while all of them have been insured in case anything accidental occurs noting that August 17,2025 date is sacrosanct.
Speaking at the occasion, Oyo state Commissioner for Youth and Sports Honorable Waslat Adegoke revealed that the Administration of Governor Seyi Makinde has been impacting positively on sports through stadium renovations and provision of conducive environment and facilities urging the people of Ibadan to troupe out en masse for the race.
She observed that Governor Seyi Makinde is the first administrator to sponsor the race which will endure.
The zone Coordinator of the National Sports Commission ( NSC) Mrs Evelyn Fabunmi said she was grateful that the marathon race was revived during her time as the head of south west of the commission while thanking the Founders of Splash Fm Oba Muritala Akande for conceiving and sustaining the race.
She also seized the opportunity to encourage Ibadan city residents to support the race by coming out in large numbers while urging the athletes to be of good conduct and attitude.
