The Ikogosi Marathon Initiative has said it will nurture 10 indigenous athletes discovered during the competition and provide them with the necessary support to develop their careers.
The organizer of the initiative, Makinde Araoye, called on the Ekiti State Government, particularly the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, to invest in the 10 athletes, noting that sustained government support could help them become internationally competitive.
Araoye spoke at the closing ceremony of the 2026 edition of the 17.5km Ikogosi Marathon, held at the Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort, Ikogosi Ekiti, on Saturday.
The Ikogosi Marathon Initiative was established in 2014 as a community-based sporting event aimed at promoting athletics, discovering young talents and using sports to showcase Ekiti State’s tourism potential.
What began as a modest road race has gradually developed into a larger sporting event, attracting elite athletes, recreational runners and participants from different parts of the country. The 2025 edition marked the event’s return after a period of inactivity and featured the 17.5km race distance, which was retained for the 2026 edition.
The marathon also draws attention to the Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort, one of Ekiti State’s most prominent tourist attractions. The resort is renowned for its unusual natural feature, where warm and cold springs flow side by side and meet without losing their distinct temperatures. Located in Ikogosi Ekiti, the attraction has long been associated with the state’s efforts to promote tourism and create economic opportunities for surrounding communities.
The marathon, which was the fourth edition of the annual event, started at Ilawe Ekiti in the Ekiti South-West Local Government Area and ended at the Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort in Ikogosi Ekiti, Ekiti West Local Government Area.
The organiser, who said the 10 identified indigenous athletes would receive financial rewards, added that the initiative would also support their participation in international competitions.
“The plan of the Ikogosi Marathon Initiative is to nurture these 10 athletes. Apart from the prizes they will receive, we also intend to sponsor them to participate in international athletics competitions. That is part of our vision,” he said.
Araoye said the 2026 edition recorded remarkable growth, expressing optimism that the 2027 edition would be upgraded to an international marathon to attract more foreign athletes and create opportunities for Nigerian long-distance runners.
