Nigeria’s capital city, Abuja, will witness its first international Marathon on December 17th ,2022, organisers have announced.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja to herald the significant milestone, Project Coordinator, Femi Abegunde told journalists that the Abuja City Marathon will make it’s debut on December 17, 2022 with 60 elite runners from all over the world.
Abegunde stated that the foreign athletes will be joined by the local runners for the $80,000 prize money.
“The 42km race will begin from the City Gate through the interesting parts of the FCT and end at the Eagles Square, with 60 runners (local and foreign), as the winner will go home with $80,000,” Abegunde said.
“The desire to create an Abuja international Marathon is to showcase the City, attract investors, boost tourism and the economy like it is done in other world commercial cities like London and New York.Our desire is to create a Marathon that can compete with the best anywhere in the world.”
“This event could have been on since 2021 if not for the Pandemic that ravaged the whole world,” he said.
Also speaking during the press conference to usher in the event, Media Head Olukayode Thomas, said the benefits will surpass it as Nigeria and FCT stands to gain more than the prize money through the visitors that will throng the country.
“The event goes beyond prize money as hotels, restaurants, taxi drivers, retailers of goods and other business owners will benefit a lot,” Thomas said.
Thomas disclosed that the New York Marathon alone attracted more than $400million into the economy. He added that the prize money may not be more than $1million but it brings more than $400m every year. He also said prizes will be given to the best coverage among the media, before and during the event in 11 categories.
In attendance at the event were Managing Director of organising company Unicentral, Ogunfumiloro Suzana, a representative of the National Assembly, Senator Ayo Akinyelure, representative of the FCT Minister, Lucas Istafanos, and other dignitaries.
