Great Abeokuta 10Km Race returns, to celebrate Nigerian culture, athletes

Great Abeokuta 10Km Race returns, to celebrate Nigerian culture, athletes

. With uncompromising Elite Prize purse

... Foreign atheletes exluded this year

After a temporary pulse last year, the Great Abeokuta 10KM race return this year with a landmark vigour.

Organisers of the event, Nilayo Sports Management Limited (NSML), Africa's leading sports marketing and event management company, has officially announced the return of the return of the race.

Following a deliberate break and the decision to skip the event last year, the prestigious road race will make its much-anticipated comeback on Saturday, September 26, 2026.

In a landmark decision designed to celebrate and empower Nigerian athletics, the 2026 edition will be strictly open to Nigerian participants, making it an exclusively local competition.

Despite the domestic-only format, the organisers have maintained the race's elite prize purse without any reduction, ensuring that Nigerian long-distance runners will compete for the same lucrative rewards that have traditionally been won by elite international athletes.

Speaking on the vision behind this year's edition, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nilayo Sports Management Limited, Mrs. Yetunde Olopade said, "The Great Abeokuta 10KM Race has always been a cultural and athletic celebration for Ogun State and Nigeria as a whole.

"Following our decision to skip the event last year, we wanted to return with an edition that directly empowers our own athletes. By making this a strictly domestic race while keeping our premium prize purse completely intact, we are ensuring that Nigeria's finest runners are rewarded commensurately.

"Our athletes put in world-class effort, and this year, they will receive the world-class rewards they deserve," she said.

The race will once again take participants through the scenic and culturally significant streets of Abeokuta, with the iconic 10-kilometre route retaining its rich heritage and challenging runners across the city's famous undulating terrain.

Registration for the 2026 Great Abeokuta 10KM Race started on Wednesday, July 15, and remains completely free for all participants, reaffirming NSML's commitment to youth development, grassroots sports, and healthy living.

Interested Nigerian athletes have been advised to apply online through the race's official registration portal Abeokutamarathon.com.

Physical registration has also commenced, with registration forms available for collection and submission at designated centres across Abeokuta, including the MKO Abiola Stadium.