Athletes to compete for N46m jackpot at Abuja Half Marathon

Athletes drawn from 13 countries which include 30 elite runners from Nigerian, Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia will compete for N46 million ($30,733) prize money at the second Abuja City International Half Marathon scheduled to hold on Saturday, December 6, 2025 in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

According to the event organisers, the top eight elite runners to cross the line will smile home with prize ranging from $8,000, $6,000, $5,000, $4,000, $3,000, $2,000, $1,000 and $500 in that order.

Head, technical committee of the race, a retired Nigerian long jumper and three-time Olympian, Yusuf Alli, also revealed that apart from the elite athletes, the top eight Nigerian athletes will get ₦2 million, ₦1.5 million, ₦1 million, ₦500,000, N300,000, ₦200,000, ₦100,000 and N50,000. He added that there is also room for students category pegged at ₦1 million, ₦500,000, ₦200,000 and ₦100,000.

Alli, while thanking the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) for endorsing the race, confirmed the participation of several top-ranked athletes for the race.

He said the race is the first labelled half marathon in Nigeria just as he assured that all the results will be posted one hour after the race.

He said, “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. This is the first labelled half marathon in Nigeria and all the results will be posted one hour after the race.”

The Managing Director/Chief Executive of Nilayo Sports Management and race promoter, Mrs Yetunde Olopade, while pledging her company’s commitment to raising the standard of road races in Nigeria described the race as a symbol of partnership, ambition and national pride.

“At Nilayo, we deliver the best to showcase Nigeria’s capacity to the world and I can say that the media has played a crucial role in elevating the Abuja City Half Marathon.”

AFN President, Tonobok Okowa, who expressed satisfaction with preparations on ground, said the Federation is saddled with anything that has to do with athletics in Nigeria.

“I’m happy that the race has been labelled. We look forward to seeing Abuja City Marathon be at par with Lagos Marathon in the nearest future. We’ve confidence in Nilayo when it comes to organizing competition.

The director of sports, FCT, Mr Luka Istifanus, expressed the belief that the race will showcase the beauty of Abuja to the world.

The race, expected to commence at 06:30 in the morning, will take off at the National Fire Service Headquarters, Mohammed Buhari Way and will terminate by the Velodrome, package A of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

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