The 2026 Calabar Marathon will offer a top prize of N1.2 million to winners in the male and female divisions of its national and international category, while indigenous athletes will compete for separate prizes to encourage local talent.

The Managing Director and Chairman of the Calabar Marathon Organising Team, John Atsu, disclosed this on Monday during a world press conference in Calabar, saying the organisers were working to develop the event into a world-class competition.

The marathon, themed “Run for Conscience Against Poverty,” will feature three categories: a 21.1-kilometre professional race, a 10-kilometre fun run and a five-kilometre charity and fitness walk for non-governmental organisations and other participants.

Atsu said the organising team was working with technical partners to improve the event and ensure the safety of participants and spectators, adding that arrangements had been made to address health and other emergencies.

He said there was no general age discrimination for participants who were physically fit and healthy, although restrictions would apply to children taking part in the full race.

The chairman disclosed that technical officials had recently assessed and measured the route to ensure it met the required standards, expressing optimism that further improvements would strengthen the marathon’s international standing.

He added that the marathon had received support from organisations, including MTN Nigeria and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company.

The Project Manager, Charles Ada, said the first-place winners in the national and international category would receive N1.2 million each, while second-place finishers would get N700,000 each and third-place winners N400,000 each.

For the indigenous category, Ada said male and female winners would receive N500,000 each, while second-place finishers would get N300,000 each and third-place winners N200,000 each.

He added that the organisers had provided 28 prizes, with participants finishing among the first 28 eligible to receive N50,000 each as transportation support.

According to him, the separate categories were introduced to encourage Cross River athletes, particularly young talents from different local government areas, to compete and improve their performance against athletes from other parts of Nigeria and beyond.

Ada said the poverty-focused theme would extend beyond the race, with plans to engage schools, sports clubs and communities through outreach activities designed to promote participation and create economic opportunities for residents.

He added that the event would also benefit traders and small business owners through increased commercial activities as athletes, visitors and spectators gather for the competition.

Representing the Commissioner of Police, Cross River State, Ajo Or due , ACP Adewalehinmi Joshua, assured participants and visitors of adequate security, saying measures would be taken to ensure a safe event.