Organisers count gains of 2026 Ikogosi race

Organisers of the 2026 Ikogosi 17.5km Race have highlighted its economic impact on Ekiti State, reporting increased business activities, full hotel occupancy and employment opportunities across host communities following the participation of more than 8,000 runners from 28 Nigerian states and three African countries.

The fourth edition of the race, held on Saturday, October 31, attracted approximately 13,700 registrations, with athletes, officials and visitors from Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and Ethiopia contributing to increased patronage of hospitality, transportation, agriculture, food services and other businesses.

The economic impact was particularly evident in Ikogosi-Ekiti and neighbouring Ilawe-Ekiti, where hotels monitored by the organisers recorded full occupancy during the race weekend. The Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort, venue for the finish-line activities, and six preferred hotels in Ado-Ekiti also reported full bookings.

The influx of visitors created additional business opportunities for transport operators, food vendors, farmers and other service providers. Local farmers supplied oranges, watermelons and bananas for participants, while food and beverage vendors along the race route benefited from increased patronage.

Beyond the immediate commercial benefits, the Ikogosi Marathon Initiative engaged 200 paid volunteers and contracted local businesses for logistics, event production, photography, videography and digital content creation. Ekiti-based vendors also produced 8,000 running vests and 8,000 numbered race bibs for the event.

The race also provided a platform for the state’s creative industry, with indigenous artists performing at the finish line and showcasing Ekiti’s cultural and entertainment potential to visitors.

The initiative currently employs 10 permanent staff and provides accommodation for 12 members of the National Youth Service Corps, underscoring its commitment to youth engagement and local capacity development beyond the annual race.

To ensure participants’ safety and welfare, 100 medical practitioners were engaged, while the Nigeria Police Force provided security. The Federal Road Safety Corps and Ekiti State Traffic Management Agency also supported traffic management and road diversions.

Founder of the Ikogosi Marathon Initiative, Makinde Araoye, said the vision behind the race, established in 2014, was to use sports as a platform to promote tourism and create sustainable economic opportunities for host communities.

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“When we established the Ikogosi Race in 2014, our vision extended beyond athletics. We wanted to create a sporting platform that would attract visitors, promote Ekiti’s tourism potential and generate meaningful economic opportunities for our communities.

“Every hotel room booked, every local supplier contracted, every farmer engaged and every young person employed represents the wider economic value of this initiative. Our ambition is to build an internationally recognised sporting event that contributes to the economic development of Ekiti State year after year,” Araoye said.

The 2026 edition featured a total prize purse of ₦30m, with awards for the top 20 finishers in both the men’s and women’s categories. Forty Ekiti indigenes also received cash prizes, while the male and female winners earned ₦2m each.

Despite the impressive turnout, the organisers acknowledged operational challenges involving starting-line infrastructure, water distribution and the collection of finishers’ medals. They said medical assistance was provided to injured participants, while arrangements were being made to distribute outstanding medals to verified finishers.

Measures are also being reviewed to improve safety, hydration, crowd management and event infrastructure ahead of the next edition.

Since its establishment, the Ikogosi Marathon Initiative says it has invested approximately ₦550m in organising its sporting events, with funding provided exclusively by the MKD Araoye Foundation.

The organisers commended Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji for his support and efforts to create an enabling environment for sports tourism and private-sector-led development. Traditional institutions, host communities, security agencies, medical personnel, volunteers, local businesses and other stakeholders were also acknowledged.

Looking ahead, the initiative is planning an international edition in 2027 and has called for stronger institutional support from the Ekiti State Government and increased private-sector investment through sponsorships and corporate social responsibility programmes.

According to the organisers, sustained public-private partnerships will be critical to expanding the event, strengthening local supply chains, creating more employment opportunities and positioning Ekiti State as a destination for international sporting events.‎