Okpekpe Race To Return In 2026 – Organizers Confirm

Okpekpe Race To Return In 2026 – Organizers Confirm

Sampson Adedeji

The organizers of the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race have announced that the event will return in May 2026, after unforeseen circumstances prevented the 2025 edition from taking place, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

"The Okpekpe race will make a strong comeback in 2026. Unfortunately, factors beyond our control stopped us from holding the event this year," said Mike Itemuagbor, one of the organizers.

"We’ve received numerous inquiries from both athletes and officials who were eager to participate in the race, which was originally scheduled for last month. We’ve reassured them that the race will be back next year for its 11th edition."

The Okpekpe Road Race holds a significant place in Nigerian sports history.

It was the first road-running event in the country to have its course measured by a World Athletics-certified course measurer.

It also became the first road race in West Africa to earn a label status in 2015, eight years after World Athletics began categorizing road races.

Since then, the event has grown from a bronze label to achieve the prestigious gold label status, making it the first 10km road race in West Africa to attain this honour.