Great Abeokuta 10KM Race to Reward Nigerian Runners with Unchanged Elite Prize Money

Posted : 16 July 2026

Nilayo Sports Management Limited (NSML) has announced that the 2026 edition of the Great Abeokuta 10KM Race will be exclusively open to Nigerian runners, with organisers retaining the event's elite prize purse despite the domestic-only format.

The race, which returns after a one-year break, is scheduled to hold on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, on the familiar streets of Abeokuta, Ogun State.

In what organisers described as a strategic move to promote local athletics, only Nigerian participants will be eligible to compete this year, while the premium prize money remains unchanged, offering homegrown long-distance runners a rare opportunity to compete for rewards previously contested by international athletes.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nilayo Sports Management Limited, Mrs. Yetunde Olopade, said the decision reflected the company's commitment to developing Nigerian athletics and rewarding local talent.

"The Great Abeokuta 10KM Race has always been a cultural and athletic celebration for Ogun State and Nigeria as a whole.

"After deliberately skipping the event last year, we wanted to return with an edition that directly empowers our own athletes.

"By making this a strictly domestic race while keeping our premium prize purse completely intact, we are ensuring that Nigeria's finest runners are rewarded commensurately.

"Our athletes put in world-class effort, and this year, they will receive the world-class rewards they deserve," she said.

The race will retain its traditional 10-kilometre course, taking runners through some of Abeokuta's most iconic landmarks and the city's challenging undulating terrain.

NSML also announced that registration for the race opened on Wednesday, July 15, and is free for all participants.

Interested runners can register online through the official race portal, Abeokutamarathon.com, while physical registration forms are available at designated centres across Abeokuta, including the MKO Abiola Stadium.

The organisers said the free registration underscores their commitment to grassroots sports development, youth empowerment and the promotion of healthy lifestyles across Nigeria.

With registration now underway, organisers are expecting strong participation from athletes across the country as the race returns with a renewed focus on celebrating and rewarding Nigerian distance-running talent.

Great Abeokuta 10KM Race to Reward Nigerian Runners with Unchanged Elite Prize Money

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