Organisers Unveil Onitsha City Marathon, Say It’s First Kind In Nigeria’s Southeast Region

The Chief Organiser, Prof. Olusegun Dapo Sogbesan of Onitsha City Marathon (left) with former Nigerian athletic international, Yusuf Alli 

The Onitsha City Marathon will hold on Saturday, 5 October, 2019 in the commercial nerve city of the eastern region of Nigeria.

The 21km half marathon has already been adjudged as one of the best terrains for long distance race by the AIMS and IAAF, which have already certified the event even before the race has taken place.

This alone is a boost for the organisers who said that the race has again attracted to itself the recognition which will make it stands out among numerous long distance races taking place in Nigeria.

The Chief Organiser, Prof. Olusegun Dapo Sogbesan said that the race, which will start at Shoprite Mall will run through Dennis Memorial Secondary School, Oguta, New Cemetery Roads, MCC, Head Bridge, Expressway, Upper Iweka Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe Mausoleum, Nkpor Junction, Awka Road, and terminated at Chuba Ikpeazu Stadium by Ime Obi Palace.

“The maiden Onitsha City Marathon will be the talk of the town in the entire southeast region of Nigeria, and an event to showcase the whole of Nigeria. We want to show to the world that Onitsha is not only known for its commercial activities, but the city and its environs are full of tourist potentials. We are trying to change the narratives of Onitsha city and place the city on the global map of sports excellence in the world.

“We will put in place the welcoming nature of the Igbos for all our visitors because the government, the traditional rulers and more importantly the indigenes are in support and we are mobilising everybody for this event.

“With Onitsha City Marathon coincide with Ofala Festival and the new yam festival, the runners will have the opportunity of participating in the event early in the morning of 5 October and be part of Ofala Festival later in the evening,” Sogbesan told a news conference at the National Stadium, Lagos on Sunday.

To the Project Manager, Osondi Umeobi, Onitsha City Marathon is a Nigeria project packaged to further expose the tourism and sporting potentials of not only the southeast region, but the entire country.

“Interestingly, with less than a week, we are having a growing number of registrations across the world. We are expecting 10,000 runners across the world to storm Onitsha for the marathon race. The prize money for the elite runners is between $10,000 to $1,000, while the local runners will win between N1 million to N20, 000.

“We will mobilise all structures of security agencies in Anambra State for security, while the local vigilantes are in this with us. I am happy to say that the enthusiasm among the locals has been a source of encouragement for us to go ahead with our preparation,” Umeobi said.