Organisers of the 2025 Ikogosi 17.5km Marathon say the event will not only draw thousands of runners but also position Ekiti State’s famed Ikogosi Warm Spring as a global tourist attraction and catalyst for economic growth.

Race consultant, Femi Abegunde, told journalists in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday that this year’s edition, scheduled for November 8, is expected to welcome between 4,000 and 5,000 participants, including elite and local runners. The initiative, he said, goes beyond athletics.

“The Ikogosi Marathon is more than a sporting event; it is a platform for tourism, health, and community development.

The race will promote Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort as a global tourist attraction, boost local businesses through increased patronage, and encourage fitness and healthy living across Nigeria,” Abegunde explained.

The second edition builds on the success of the 2023 inaugural race, which featured a 10km run and attracted over 2,000 runners. With the distance extended to 17.5km this year, organisers have lined up significant prize packages, including N2 million each for the top male and female elite winners.

Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji described the marathon as a “flagship project” for his administration, tying sports and tourism into the state’s broader economic agenda.

Represented by his Technical Adviser on Sports, Dr. Olusola Osetoba, the governor said the partnership between Ekiti State and the Ikogosi Marathon Initiative demonstrates “a shared commitment to positioning Ekiti as Nigeria’s leading sports-tourism destination.”

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth Development, Mrs. Sola-Femi Adeluyi, also emphasized the local impact, noting that the event will “help our youth to cultivate resilience and leadership, and boost economic activities.”

Ikogosi Warm Spring, famous for its rare natural wonder where warm and cold springs flow side by side without mixing, has long been a symbol of Ekiti’s natural heritage.

Officials hope the marathon will further showcase its potential as a hub for tourism-driven development.

Punch