_As organisers unveil the race as an annual event_
The stage is now finally set for the highly anticipated World Athletics certified Enugu City International Marathon billed for Saturday may 3rd 2025 in the coal city of Enugu state after a world press conference heralding the event was held on Friday.
The Enugu state Commissioner for Sports, Lloyd Ekweremadu Jr said the state Government is excited about the race on Saturday and are already looking forward to its sustainability beyond this year’s edition.
” I want to announce that because of the potential and economic viability of this race the state Governor, his Excellency Peter Mbah has approved that the Enugu city international marathon will be an annual event. This is going to be a continuous process and we know that the economy of our state will be boosted with such an international event”.
The Commissioner also explained why the state decided to choose a marathon, instead of another sporting event.
” We decided to do a marathon because the road race involves many athletes at the same time and you can get the youths engaged more with such a sporting event”.
On her part, the Managing Director of Nilayo Sports Management Company, the Consultants of the Race, Mrs Yetunde Olopade, commends the doggedness and investment of the Enugu state Government in Sports.
” Governor Peter Mbah has continually shown that he has a road map for sports development in the state when you take a look at all the investments he is putting into sports to make sure the state is a major power house when it comes to sports Development in Nigeria”, she said.
The calibre of top dignitaries at the Press Conference further underscores the profile of the race, which is a first of its kind in the history of South Eastern Nigeria.
Gracing the Press Conference on Friday include; the Commissioner of Sports in Enugu state, Lloyd Ekweremadu Jr, the M.D of Nilayo Sports Management Company, Mrs Yetunde Olopade, the Vice President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Chief Solomon Ogba, the President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN, Tony Okowa, Representative of World Athletics, the Technical Director of the Race and former Nigeria top athlete, Yusuf Ali and legendary Movie star Nkem Owo amongst others.
The Enugu city international Marathon is expected to witness the participation of over 3000 athletes from and outside the country in both the 42km race and the 10km race.
Meanwhile the State Governor Peter Mbah will be among the thousands of runners that will participate in the race as he will be running the 10km race from start to finish.
