The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission has unveiled an exclusive prize money incentive for West African runners participating in the 2025 ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon.

The announcement was made on Thursday at a press conference by the ECOWAS Commission, the sponsor of the marathon.

According to ECOWAS Director of Youth and Sports, Amb. Francis Njoaguani, who also serves as the Chairman of the Main Organizing Committee, the first West African runner to cross the finish line will receive $1,000.

The second-place finisher will earn $500, while the third, fourth, and fifth-place runners will receive $400, $250, and $200, respectively.

This initiative is aimed at encouraging regional participation and celebrating homegrown talent.

Njoaguani emphasized ECOWAS’ long-term vision to elevate the marathon to international prominence.

He stated that the goal is to achieve the World Athletics Gold Label status within the next four years, positioning the ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon among the most prestigious road races globally.

Currently, the marathon stands as the most lucrative half marathon in Africa, offering an impressive prize structure for both men and women.

Winners of the 21km race will each take home $10,000, while second and third-place finishers will earn $5,000 and $4,000, respectively.

The fourth-place runner will receive $3,500, followed by $3,000 for the fifth, $2,500 for the sixth, $2,000 for the seventh, $1,500 for the eighth, $1,200 for the ninth, and $1,000 for the tenth-place finisher.

In the 5km category, the first-place winner will receive $1,000, the second-place finisher $300, the third-place $250, the fourth-place $150, and the fifth-place $100.

Njoaguani expressed his delight at the marathon’s rapid growth and increasing popularity. He recalled the challenges faced in its early years but noted that it has since evolved into a highly anticipated sporting event.

The 2025 edition, which commemorates the 50th anniversary of ECOWAS, is expected to attract over 5000 runners from across the globe.

To mark this milestone, ECOWAS is fully sponsoring runners from all member states, both men and women, to participate.

Additionally, significant interest has been shown by runners from Ghana, Senegal, Guinea, and Côte d’Ivoire, as well as from other regions beyond Africa, including the United States, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Switzerland.

For this edition, some minor adjustments have been made to the race routes.

The 21km race will begin and end at the ECOWAS Commission headquarters, ensuring a seamless and well-coordinated course for participants.

Meanwhile, the 5km race will start Independence Drive by Sahad Stores and CDB and conclude at the ECOWAS Commission.

Beyond its competitive aspect, the marathon serves as a unifying platform for West African nations. Njoaguani highlighted that the marathon is more than just a race, emphasizing that it is a means of fostering regional integration, bringing people together to interact, celebrate fitness, and strengthen the bonds within the community.

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Seven-Up Bottling Company (SBC) over the weekend marked 10 years of refreshing and hydrating the Lagos City Marathon with three of its iconic brands-

Aquafina Premium Table Water, 7up and Supa Komando lead their platform partnership.

Refreshing with 7Up products produces winners

The Marathon which began in 2016 has consistently partnered with SBC as its official beverage partner leveraging its global brands such as 7Up, Aquafina, Pepsi, Mirinda and Supa Komando energy drink to energise, hydrate and refresh all participants at the race.

Last Saturday at the 10^th edition of the marathon, SBC’s presence was very visible from start to finish at both the 42 km race for professional athletes and the 10km race designed for leisure and fun runners.

Supa Komando energy drink owned the 10km start while Mirinda added some fun and colour at the 10km finishing point in Eko Atlantic.

We are energised by Supa Komando, the bevvy of beauties seems to say

The marathon provided a platform for consumers to sample the new tasty Mirinda Orange in a specially designed 60cl PET bottle.

Sam Okolie, Senior Brand Manager at SBC explained that the partnership aligns with the mission of the company to continue to inspire and refresh a youthful lifestyle for Nigerians.

He noted that SBC is proud to have been part of the Lagos City Marathon journey in the last 10 years refreshing the runners from its inception.

Getting refreshed with Aquafina

“Seven-Up Bottling Company through our refreshing premium brands continues to ensure that the runners stay inspired, hydrated and refreshed on their journey and we are proud to have been a part of the success story of this platform”, said Mr. Okolie.

According to him, the organization remains committed to the ideals of the Lagos City Marathon as a platform to promote a healthier society, and engender peace and friendship among peoples of different races and cultures”.

He explained that because people ran for different reasons, SBC was solidly behind everyone’s ambition to excel in both amateur and professional categories.

Winners testify: Mirinda refreshes like never before.

Working with the organizing committee, SBC designed and executed a robust plan to keep the runners refreshed and energized through the entire route of the race with several water points and refreshment booths from the National Stadium, Surulere to Eko Atlantic City in Victoria Island.

Okolie observed that the Lagos City Marathon 10km race for those residing in Nigeria has turned out to be a great attraction judging by the number of participants and the sheer fun and excitement experienced at the starting points in Lekki Phase One over the years.

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Registered runners for the 2025 ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon will start collecting their running kits this Thursday, when the Marathon Expo begins at the Federal Secretariat Car Park, Eagles Square, Abuja.

The 2025 ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2025. There will be two races: the half-marathon and the 5-kilometer fun race. 

The half marathon will start at the ECOWAS Commission, while the 5 km will start at the Independence Bridge near Sahad Stores and finish at the ECOWAS Commission.

According to Race Director Gabriel Okon, running bibs and vests must be collected at the VIO Container Booth, Federal Secretariat Car Park, Eagle’s Square, Abuja, from February 20 to 28, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Okon also revealed that participants may only collect their running bibs upon presentation of valid proof of identification.

However, participants wishing to have their running numbers collected on their behalf must provide the collector with an authority note, a copy of the completed entry form bearing their photograph, and a copy of their valid proof of identification. 

Okon said collectors must show proof of their identity to collect the running kits. He revealed that registration is still open to all runners worldwide till February 28.

Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) can pick up physical forms at the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Package A, Abuja, the FCT Sports Council and the Area Councils.

On the ECOWAS race, Okon said, “As we are all aware, sport is a powerful tool for bringing people together, and this is no less the case in West Africa.

Apart from integrating West Africans, the ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon also encourages us—especially residents of FCT, which hosts the ECOWAS Commission—to embrace the culture of walking, jogging, and running, which has immense health benefits.

“The ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon, from its inaugural edition, has also been a powerful tool of youth empowerment and engagement; and it has had positive impacts on the FCT economy, especially the hospitality and allied industries and acts as a catalyst to boost tourism”.

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