Organisers of the 2026 Ikogosi 17.5km Race have brought attention to its economic benefits for Ekiti State. They reported more business activities, full hotel bookings, and new job opportunities in host communities after over 8,000 runners participated from 28 Nigerian states and three African countries.
The fourth edition of the race took place on Saturday, October 31. It attracted around 13,700 registrations, with athletes, officials, and visitors from Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and Ethiopia. This led to more people using hospitality services, transport, agriculture, food services, and other businesses.
The economic effects were clear in Ikogosi-Ekiti and nearby Ilawe-Ekiti. Hotels monitored by the organisers were fully booked during the race weekend. The Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort, where the finish-line activities took place, and six selected hotels in Ado-Ekiti also had no rooms available.
The surge of visitors opened more business chances for transport operators, food vendors, farmers, and other service providers. Local farmers provided oranges, watermelons, and bananas for the runners, while food and drink sellers along the race route saw increased sales.
Besides the immediate business gains, the Ikogosi Marathon Initiative hired 200 paid volunteers and worked with local businesses for logistics, event production, photography, videography, and digital content creation. Vendors in Ekiti also made 8,000 running vests and 8,000 numbered race bibs for the event.
The race also highlighted the state’s creative scene, with local artists performing at the finish line. They showcased Ekiti’s cultural and entertainment potential to the visitors.
The initiative has 10 permanent staff and provides housing for 12 members of the National Youth Service Corps. This shows its dedication to youth involvement and local capacity building beyond just the annual race.
To ensure the safety and well-being of participants, 100 medical professionals were hired. The Nigeria Police Force provided security, while the Federal Road Safety Corps and Ekiti State Traffic Management Agency helped with traffic management and road diversions.
Makinde Araoye, the founder of the Ikogosi Marathon Initiative, shared the vision behind the race, which began in 2014. He said they aimed to use sports to promote tourism and create lasting economic chances for local communities.
“When we established the Ikogosi Race in 2014, our vision extended beyond athletics. We wanted to create a sporting platform that would attract visitors, promote Ekiti’s tourism potential, and generate meaningful economic opportunities for our communities.
“Every hotel room booked, every local supplier contracted, every farmer engaged, and every young person employed represents the wider economic value of this initiative. Our ambition is to build an internationally recognised sporting event that contributes to the economic development of Ekiti State year after year,” Araoye said.
The 2026 edition had a total prize money of ₦30m, with awards for the top 20 finishers in both the men’s and women’s categories. Forty Ekiti indigenes also received cash prizes, while the male and female winners took home ₦2m each.
Despite the good turnout, the organisers noted some challenges with starting-line setup, water distribution, and giving out finishers’ medals. They provided medical help to injured participants and are arranging to distribute outstanding medals to verified finishers.
They are also reviewing ways to improve safety, hydration, crowd management, and event setup for the next edition.
Since it started, the Ikogosi Marathon Initiative claims to have spent about ₦550m on its sporting events, funded entirely by the MKD Araoye Foundation.
The organisers thanked Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji for his support and efforts to create a friendly environment for sports tourism and private-sector development. They also recognised traditional institutions, host communities, security agencies, medical staff, volunteers, local businesses, and other stakeholders.
Looking forward, the initiative is planning an international edition in 2027. They are asking for stronger support from the Ekiti State Government and more private-sector investment through sponsorships and corporate social responsibility projects.
The organisers believe that ongoing public-private partnerships will be key to expanding the event, strengthening local supply chains, creating more job opportunities, and making Ekiti State a spot for international sporting events.
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