The countdown has begun for the 10th edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, set to take place on Saturday, February 15, a day after the famous St. Valentine’s Day.  

According to the organisers,  the marathon this year, celebrates a decade of excellence, as the Gold Label Race holds bigger promises, drawing a global audience. 

With 4,000 foreign runners and nearly 100 international elite athletes expected to participate, the streets of Lagos will come alive with the spirit of competition and unity, on Feb. 15th, one day after Valentine’s Day.  

The marathon, renowned as one of Africa’s largest, is proudly supported by Access Bank, 7UP Bottling Company, Kia Motors, Airtel, and the Lagos State Government.

While February might be winter in other parts of the world, Lagos is looking to bring the heat with its vibrant energy and world-class hospitality. Whether one is running, cheering, or soaking in the sporting and festive atmosphere, the 10th edition of this race promises to be an unforgettable experience.

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The 2025 ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon, which is part of the activities to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of ECOWAS, will feature elite runners from all ECOWAS countries.

To mark the golden anniversary of the subcontinental economic bloc, the prize money for the sporting event has also tbeen increased.

According to Francis Chuks Njoaguani, Chairman of the Main Organizing Committee (MOC) of the race,  there will also be other goodies for participants.

Njoaguani disclosed that participants in the people’s race, the 5 km fun run, which is to encourage ECOWAS citizens to exercise and make running a way of life because of its immense health benefits, will be the biggest beneficiary of the increase in prize money. 

Njoaguani, who is also the director of the ECOWAS Youth and Sports Development Centre based in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, said, ” The 5 km fun run is special to us because we initiated it as part of the 21 km race so that more of our people will embrace the culture of walking, jogging, exercise, and running and make it part of their daily routine.

“That is why we have decided to increase the prize money for the 5km race from $750 to $1000 (about N1.7 million) to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of ECOWAS and encourage our people to make running a way of life.

“We are not increasing the prize money for just the winner but all the top finishers as specified in the participants’ guide, we are also inviting elite runners from all ECOWAS countries”. 

The ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon will be held on March 1, 2025, in Abuja, Nigeria.

The event, which features 21km and 5km categories, is expected to attract runners and fitness enthusiasts across the continent and beyond.

The 5km Race will begin at Eagle Square and end at the ECOWAS Commission in Asokoro Abuja, while the 21km (half-marathon) will start at the ECOWAS Commission and return to finish at the same location.

Race Director Gabriel Okon disclosed that the race is open to all categories of runners.

“The event is for elites and fun runners and other classes of fitness enthusiasts from across the continent, all vying for their share of over $71,000 in prize money.

“The marathon is not only a celebration of athleticism but also a showcase of unity and the vibrant spirit of the region.”

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Nigeria elite marathon runners most of them members of the Jos-based High Altitude Athletics Club have revealed their priority for the year 2025- competing and winning the top ten positions at the ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon.

Their decision is based on the lucrativeness of the race, especially the 21 km and the organizers’ prompt payment of prize money. 

Speaking to the media shortly before the Christmas break, Steve Nuhu the director of High Altitude Athletics Club and manager of most of the elite marathoners in Nigeria told correspondents that they have all agreed to prioritize the ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon.

Said Nuhu, “We all left Pankshin where we normally train a few days ago to spend Christmas and New Year with our families, by the special grace we will regroup the first week of the new year, and our focus for the new year is the ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon.

“We arrive at this conclusion because we have a very good chance of winning about eight of the top ten positions in the ECOWAS race because it is a half marathon. For example, if our club produce the winners of the men’s and women’s races that is $10,000.00 each which comes to about N40 million in today’s exchange rate we can’t get that kind of money elsewhere. 

“Even if we place fourth or fifth in the ECOWAS Marathon, it is more rewarding financially than what we will get when we win a full marathon elsewhere, we are grateful to ECOWAS because their race is empowering us and lifting us out of poverty.’’

Nuhu also praised the organizer for the prompt payment of prize money and the general organization of the race,

“We also thank the management of ECOWAS Marathon for paying our prize money immediately after the race, we have never experienced a delay in the payment of prize money, it is always a great experience and exciting moment for our runners and we look forward to the 2025 edition with innate joy” 

The 2025 ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon is slated for March 1, 2025. There are two races, the 21 km and the 5 km. 

The 21 km will start and finish at the ECOWAS Commission, Asokoro and the 5 km race will start at the Eagles Square and also finish at the ECOWAS Commission.