By Dorcas Francis Koji
More than 3,000 athletes are expected to participate in the second edition of the Enugu City International Marathon, scheduled to take place on Saturday, August 29, 2026.
The race, organised by Nilayo Sports Management with the full support of the Enugu State Government, has attracted elite runners, grassroots athletes and recreational participants from Nigeria, other African countries and the diaspora.
Participants will compete for medals, prize money and recognition as preparations gather momentum for the major road-running event.
The organisers said the final preparations for the Marathon Expo would begin soon, with the expo serving as the official kit collection centre for registered runners. It will also feature promotional activities and brand activations from sponsors.
A week-long programme of sporting, musical, wellness and business activities is expected to accompany the buildup to race day, adding a festival atmosphere to the marathon.
The pre-race programme will culminate in the Enugu City International Marathon World Press Conference on Friday, August 28.
The event is expected to bring together government officials, race organisers, elite athletes and sponsors to provide final updates on the competition, including race arrangements, security measures and the complete prize structure.
The 2026 edition will feature a 42-kilometre elite marathon and a 10-kilometre Fun Run.
The 42km race will begin at 6:30 a.m. from ShopRite along Abakaliki Road, while the 10km Fun Run will start at 8:30 a.m. from Chris Tee Petrol Station on CIC Road and finish at Okpara Square by 12:30 p.m.
According to the organisers, extensive security, medical, hydration and traffic-management plans have been put in place to ensure the safety and comfort of athletes, officials and spectators.
The Enugu State Government has also expressed its readiness to host what it described as a celebration of endurance, culture and opportunity.
The state said the marathon would further strengthen Enugu’s position as an emerging destination for sports and tourism while providing a platform to showcase the city’s culture and hospitality to visitors from across Nigeria and beyond.
With thousands of runners expected on the streets of Enugu, the second edition of the marathon is set to combine competitive athletics with entertainment, tourism and economic opportunities for the host city.
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