Abuja Half Marathon Draws Athletes from 13 Countries, Offers Major Prize Purse

Abuja Half Marathon Draws Athletes from 13 Countries, Offers Major Prize Purse

By Niyi Busari 

Athletes from 13 countries, including 30 elite runners from Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria and Ethiopia, are set to compete in the Abuja City Half Marathon on Saturday. Organizers say the strong international lineup underscores the race’s growing reputation on the global athletics calendar, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The prize structure for the competition is substantial. The top eight overall finishers will earn $8,000, $6,000, $5,000, $4,000, $3,000, $2,000, $1,000 and $500 respectively.

For Nigerian athletes, the top six finishers will receive ₦2 million, ₦1.5 million, ₦1 million, ₦500,000, ₦200,000 and ₦100,000.

In the student category, the prize money stands at ₦1 million, ₦500,000, ₦200,000 and ₦100,000.

Speaking during the pre-race press conference, organizers described the marathon as part of a broader effort to position Abuja as a premier sporting and tourism destination.

“It is a great honour to gather here as we continue to position Abuja before the world,” the organizers said, noting that the press conference signals their commitment to delivering a world-class event.

The event promoter, Nilayo Sports Management, reaffirmed its dedication to raising the standard of road races in Nigeria. “At Nilayo, we deliver the best to showcase Nigeria’s capacity to the world,” the company stated, adding that the media has played a crucial role in elevating the Abuja City Half Marathon.

Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) President, Tonobok Okowa, expressed satisfaction with preparations and emphasized the importance of the federation’s endorsement. “Without AFN’s approval, this marathon would not be possible,” he said. Premium Trust Bank, a key sponsor, has paid a sanction fee of ₦10 million to meet international requirements.

Technical Director Yusuf Ali confirmed that several top-ranked runners will feature in the race. “Any athlete rated among the world’s top 300—classified as Gold Label—qualifies as an elite runner, and many of them will be here,” he said.

According to Ali, all athletes have arrived in Abuja, with the final group landing on Friday night. The race will start at 6:30 a.m., and organizers will deploy chip timing, photo-finish technology and manual backups. Official results are expected to be published within an hour of the race’s conclusion.

To ensure safety and smooth movement, all roads along the race route will be closed between 6:30 a.m. and 7:33 a.m. Water stations will be placed at every kilometre, supported by Premium Trust Bank’s hydration services.

Representing the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, FCT Director of Sports FCT, Luka Istifanus said the administration approved the marathon because Abuja is a “friendly and welcoming city.” They added that the event will now be staged annually.

“The beauty of Abuja, under the renewed energy of the new administration, will be showcased to the world tomorrow,” the representative said, describing the race as “the most exciting and educative marathon yet.”