The 12th edition of the Ibadan City Marathon is set to draw national attention this Sunday, 17 August 2025, as pro-democracy campaigner and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Omoyele Sowore, joins over 700 registered runners, including five past winners, in the highly anticipated race.
Confirming his participation on Thursday, Mr Sowore told the organisers, Splash 105.5 FM, that he looked forward to taking part in what has become one of Nigeria’s most celebrated long-distance sporting events.
Oyo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Honourable Wasilat Adegoke, speaking during a media briefing on Wednesday, said the government under Governor Seyi Makinde “is proud to have supported and identified with the race more than any other in the history of the state.”
Technical coordination for the marathon will be handled by the National Sports Commission through its South West Zonal Office, with Zonal Coordinator Mrs Evelyn Fabunmi assuring that “all hands are on deck” alongside the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), the National Association of Technical Officers (NATO) and other partners to deliver a world-class event.
Safety and medical readiness have also been prioritised. At least 70 medical personnel—including doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, sports scientists, Red Cross members and volunteers—will be deployed, with all athletes fully insured. Security agencies including the Police, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and Oyo State Road Traffic Maintenance Authority (OYRTMA) will provide route safety and crowd control.
The 42-kilometre full marathon will begin at 7:00 a.m. from the historic Obafemi Awolowo Stadium (formerly Liberty Stadium) and will run through key parts of the city such as Liberty, Mobil Ring Road, Aleshinloye-Eleyele, Sango-UI-Ojo, Iwo Road, Gate-Beere-Molete and Challenge.
With a total prize purse of ₦4 million and medals for the top 20 finishers, every runner who completes the course will also receive a certificate of participation.
First held in 2008 as the first full marathon in Sub-Saharan Africa, the Ibadan City Marathon has placed the ancient city on the global sporting map, attracting professional and amateur athletes from across Nigeria and beyond. The event, which paused in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, makes its long-awaited return this year powered by the Oyo State government with the National Sports Commission as technical partners.
Motorists and commuters have been advised to cooperate by avoiding designated marathon routes during the race hours.
