For organisers of the recently concluded second Enugu City Marathon, the event was ‘more than a race.’ “It was an economic driver and a platform for city branding,” Managing Director, Nilayo Sports Management, Mrs. Yetunde Olopade, told The Guardian during the week.

“Beyond the economy, the Enugu City International marathon is a statement of identity. When the world watches Enugu run, the world learns Enugu’s name, as a safe, vibrant, and capable host city open for tourism, investment, and talent,” Mrs. Olopade said.

She continues: “Year one (2025 edition) was our introduction to the world, and this Year two was our standard. With the prize structure, Enugu is ready to host world-class competitions.”

For over 12 years now, Nilayo Sports Management Limited has been in the forefront of oranising marathon races across major cities in Nigeria. From Lagos to Abeokuta, Kaduna, Abuja and Yenagoa, Nilayo has made marathon races a yearly routine for the people. For the organisation, Nigerians, both young and old must be part of the immense benefit of participating in marathon races.

It was the turn of Enugu State a few days ago, and the outcome was marvelous for both the runners and people of Enugu State.

It started in 2025, but Nilayo Sports decided to raise the bar for the 2026 edition tagged ‘Tomorrow Runs Here,’ which held on Saturday, August 29.

The 2026 race drew massive interest from elite runners, grassroots athletes and fun participants across Nigeria, Africa and the diaspora.

With over 3,000 athletes in attendance, the race lived up to its expectation with a tight contest among East African runners, who have proven over time their dominance in world marathon races.

Kenya’s Edwin Kipyego and Ethiopia’s Zenebe Aberu won the prizes in the male and female 42KM elite categories pocketing $15,000 each. The second position winner in the elite category went home with $10,000, while winners of the third, fourth and fifth positions also smile home with $5,000, $3,000 and $2,000 respectively.

Nigerian runners also showed their strength in the 10KM race, which was designed to encourage mass participation and unearth homegrown road-running talent. The Nigerian winner of the 42km pocketed N3 million; second position, N2 million; third position, N1.5m; fourth place, N1 million, and the fifth position winner got N500,000.

In the 10km marathon (for Nigerian runners only), the first position winner went home with N1 million, second position N750,000, third position N500,000, fourth position N300,000 and fifth position N200,000.

Just as the Egugu City Marathon is growing in mass participation, the event is also attracting more attention in the corporate world. Among partners that participated in the second Enugu City Marathon were Aquafina Premium Drinking Water, Pinnacle Oil & Gas, African Pits and Quarries (APQ), Power Oil, Afia TV and Radio, as well as Enugu Air.

To the organisers, Nilayo Sports Management, the increasing list of partners demonstrate the growing confidence from the private sector in the Enugu City International Marathon and its potential to become a major fixture on Nigeria’s and Africa’s road-running calendar.

“The aim is to strategically position Enugu in Eastern Nigeria as major destination point for tourists across the world,” Mrs Olopade said. “From athletes’ welfare to security and crowd management, this 2nd Enugu International Marathon has shown that Enugu can host international label races.”

The 2026 Enugu Marathon afforded both foreign and local runners opportunity of seeing the beauty of the Coal City. While the 42km race took off from ShopRite, Abakaliki Road, the 10km Fun Run started from Chris Tee Petrol Station, CIC Road, and ended at the popular Okpara Square.

For Enugu State Governor Dr. Peter Mbah, the 2026 marathon event was a statement of assurance that the state is ready to host the fast approaching National Sports Festival, which will bring together more than 15,000 youths from across all states of the federation and the Federal Capity City, Abuja.

“This 2026 Enugu City Marathon is another opportunity to further cement our place as a hub for sports and tourism in Nigeria,” Mbah said at the end of the race.

Represented by Enugu State Deputy Governor, Ifeanyi Ossai, the Governor highlighted the economic and cultural impact of the event saying: “We promised a memorable marathon, and we delivered. The event aligns perfectly with the state’s sports tourism vision. Enugu is ready for the world, and this marathon will only get bigger. I want to specially congratulate all our sponsors for always being available with funds to drive this progress.”

Enugu State Commissioner for Sports, Lloyd Ike Ekweremadu, commended the Local Organising Committee (LOC), medical teams, and security agencies for a hitch-free marathon event, just as announced that Enugu State has officially applied for World Athletics Road Race Label status for the 2027 edition.