Sports

Nilayo Set October Date For Abuja City International Marathon

Published

6 years ago

January 31, 2021

Nigeria’s foremost marathons and road races running company, Nilayo Sports Management Limited, has set October 2, 2021 date for the maiden Abuja City International Marathon with a telecommunication company and financial institution set to be the headline sponsor and main partner.

Bukola Olopade, the Chief Executive Officer of Nilayo Sports made the disclosure over the weekend that “The Abuja City International Marathon is a race that excites us because, given our precedence with the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon and all our other races across the country, the Abuja City International Marathon promises to be a world-class event. We have concluded discussions with a telecom giant and a financial institution. Very soon we shall invite the media to the unveiling of our sponsor and partner”.

Olopade who revived the culture of marathons and road races in Nigeria after 31 years in 2016 with the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon revealed that the route of the Abuja City International Marathon has been measured and calibrated by World Athletics grade ‘A’ measurer Norrie Williamson since 2018.

Williamson who was the measurer of the marathon routes of the four Olympic Games, Atlanta’96, Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, and Beijing 2008 and several other iconic cities marathons, described the point-to-point route of Abuja City International Marathon as one of the best he has measured around the world.

Olopade described Abuja as an amazing city with a lot of exciting sights, “this is the reason why we are particular about making the race an international marathon that will attract the cream-de-la-crème of road running across the world.

“We are working on this project with the World Athletics, Athletics Federation of Nigeria and the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports Development, we are set to put Abuja on the world map.”

Apart from reviving the culture of marathon and road races in Nigeria with Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, the upcoming Abuja City International Marathon will put the federal capital among the top marathon destinations in the world. Nilayo’s Midas touch in marathons and road races was behind the highly successful races like the just concluded Kaduna Marathon, Great Abeokuta 10KM Race, Valuejet IAU African Championships Remo, Ijebu International Half Marathon among other sporting events across the country.

“This is the reason why we have gotten a telecom giant and a financial institution who are ready to commit to the race to make it a success because they have also seen these possibilities and how it will change the trajectory of sports sponsorships in Africa and the rest of the world. The partnerships will be announced very soon.” Said Olopade

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Sports

Lagos Women Run: Excitement Builds Ahead of Saturday’s TBS Race

Published

2 days ago

November 10, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Participants from different walks of life are eagerly looking forward to the Lagos Women Run scheduled for Saturday, November 14, at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Lagos.

The participants have expressed excitement about the opportunities and experiences the annual event promises to offer.

Our correspondent reports that, in addition to runners from within Lagos and other parts of Nigeria, some athletes are expected to travel from outside the country to participate in the race.

The organisers are already making preparations for the large number of registered participants, while the possibility of accepting late entries will depend on the timing and other arrangements.

The Coordinator of the Lagos Women Run, Tayo Popoola, said participants should expect an improved experience compared with previous editions.

“We have to continue to get better, as that is the driving force for us as organisers. We will be bigger and better with every edition,” Popoola said.

The 2026 Lagos Women Run will hold on Saturday, November 14, with Tafawa Balewa Square serving as the starting point.

Participants are expected to arrive at the venue by 6:30 a.m. for the event.

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