Nilayo Sports Management Limited (NSML) has officially announced the return of the Great Abeokuta 10KM Race, with the 2026 edition scheduled to hold on Saturday, September 26, after a one-year break.
In a major shift aimed at boosting homegrown athletics, this year’s race will be exclusively open to Nigerian athletes, giving local long-distance runners a rare opportunity to compete for the event’s full elite prize purse.
Despite restricting participation to domestic athletes, the organisers confirmed that the prize money remains unchanged, ensuring Nigerian runners will battle for the same lucrative rewards previously contested by elite international competitors.
Speaking on the vision behind the decision, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nilayo Sports Management Limited, Mrs. Yetunde Olopade, said the race is returning with a renewed focus on rewarding Nigerian talent.
“The Great Abeokuta 10KM Race has always been a cultural and athletic celebration for Ogun State and Nigeria as a whole,” Olopade said.
“Following our decision to skip the event last year, we wanted to return with an edition that directly empowers our own athletes. By making this a strictly domestic race while keeping our premium prize purse completely intact, we are ensuring that Nigeria’s finest runners are rewarded commensurately. Our athletes put in world-class effort, and this year, they will receive the world-class rewards they deserve.”
The race will once again take runners through the scenic and historic streets of Abeokuta, with its iconic 10-kilometre course retaining the challenging undulating terrain that has become a defining feature of the competition.
Registration for the 2026 Great Abeokuta 10KM Race officially commenced on Wednesday, July 15, and remains free of charge for all participants, reinforcing NSML’s commitment to grassroots sports development, youth empowerment and healthy living.
Interested athletes can register online through the official race portal, AbeokutaMarathon.com, while physical registration forms are also available at designated centres across Abeokuta, including the MKO Abiola Stadium.
The return of the Great Abeokuta 10KM Race is expected to provide a significant platform for Nigerian distance runners to showcase their abilities while strengthening the country’s road-running calendar.
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