The globally acclaimed Okpekpe International 10km Road Race is coming back stronger, better and in a more glamorous manner, according to Mike Itemuagbor, the CEO of Pamodzi Sports International.
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Sports247 reports that, while affirming the race as Nigeria’s most prestigious road-running event, Itemuagbor revealed that it is set to make a grand comeback on May 23, 2026 for its 11th edition.
Itemuagbor enthused that the race will be stronger than ever, laced with many innovations and a bigger spectacle, after unforeseen circumstances forced the cancellation of last year’s edition.
Itemuagbor disclosed with enthusiasm and delight, “The Okpekpe race is coming back stronger in 2026. Circumstances beyond our control ensured we could not hold last year.
“We have received a lot of inquiries from both athletes and officials who wanted to participate in the event and we explained to them that the race will come back this year for its 11th edition.”
The sports marketing guru thanked all stakeholders and supporters who helped Okpekpe Road Race gain a special place in Nigerian sports history as the first running event in the country to have its course confirmed by a World Athletics-certified measurer.
He recalled that, in 2015, it became the first road race in West Africa to earn label status and has grown from bronze to gold standard, while also attracting elite athletes from Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Morocco and Bahrain.
Itemuagbor noted further that, beyond its athletic prestige, the race has transformed the Okpekpe community of Edo State to international values, opening up the rural town to the world, with attendant economic and tourism benefits.
“We want to thank thousands who communicated with us via telephones, emails and our social media handles. We assure them that we are not only coming back this May, but the event has come to stay.
“We are delighted that we have been able to turn Nigeria into a destination of sort for sports in the world. We also opened the rustic, rural Okpekpe community and its environs to the world.
“(We have also) encouraged other road race organizers to emulate what we have been doing and get them to aspire for label status,” said Itemuagbor, who also promised that this year’s edition will maintain its world-class reputation.
