Sports
Marathoner Sets Record At Integrity Race
Harris Ismail from Plateau
State on Sunday in Ibadan won the 2015 edition of the Splash FM Integrity Marathon to pocket the male category cash prize of N600,000.
About 900 athletes from all over Nigeria participated in the race which had a N2 million total prize money.
It was co-sponsored by Splash FM, Ibadan and the PDP governorship candidate in Oyo State, Teslim Folarin.
In addition to winning, Ismail also set the fastest time at the seven-year-old event.
He beat the record time of two hours 39 minutes 58 seconds he set in 2013 with a new time of 2:35:06.
Sharabutu Philibus from Nasarawa State, who came second in 2013 and fifth in 2014, finished second with 2:35:21 to win a cash prize of N300,000.
Abdulahi Ibrahim from Nasarawa State, who finished fourth last year, was third on Sunday after he finished the race in 2:37:37 for the cash prize of N150,000.
In the female category, 19-year-old Deborah Pam, a student of College of Education, Gindiri in Plateau who won the 2013 edition, emerged the winner.
Pam, who ran for the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) team, won the cash prize of N400,000 after a time of 3:03:23 for a new race record.
Lydia Michael from Nasarawa State finished second to win the N200,000 prize money, while her state team mate, Elizabeth Nuhu, finished third for the prize money of N100,000.
During the closing ceremony, Chairman of Splash FM, Adebayo Akande, who attended the event with his wife, Onikepo, noted in his speech that the race was unique in many ways.
“This marathon race is unique, because it was designed to fight one of the greatest problems confronting Nigeria, which is corruption.
“We hope to instill integrity not only in the minds of the athletes and observers of today’s event, but also in the minds of all Nigerians.
“Through this, we are advocating that the race against corruption is not a relay race, neither is it a short course,” he said.
The Bayelsa State government, yesterday, announced that the marathon will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
The inaugural race is owned by the Bayelsa State Government and will be organised by Nilayo Sports Management Limited, a sports management company.
Under the theme “The Reveal,” the race represents a bold unveiling of Bayelsa’s immense human and cultural potential to the international community, inviting the world to witness the resilience, grit, and talent rooted in the heart of the Niger Delta.
According to the organisers, the race will be flagged off at 9:30 a.m., at the Opolo Roundabout, guiding participants through a carefully designed 10-kilometre route that highlights the scenic beauty and vibrant atmosphere of Yenagoa.
The course will culminate at Peace Park Square, where athletes will cross the finish line into a grand celebration of endurance, unity, and community spirit.
To elevate the experience for runners and spectators alike, the finish venue will host a high-energy post-race concert featuring performances from top A-list artistes, blending sport and entertainment in a festival-style atmosphere.
The organisers directed all registered participants to collect their race bibs and kits at the designated Peace Park Square between March 30 and April 3, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.
The race, according to them, is currently on track for World Athletics accreditation, underscoring the commitment of both the Bayelsa State Government and Nilayo Sports Management Limited to delivering an event that meets the highest global standards.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, on Friday continued the Commission’s nationwide appreciation tour with a visit to Abeokuta, where outstanding junior athlete, Majekodunmi Afusat Bisola, was presented with a cheque of N3 million.
The presentation forms part of the NSC’s initiative to recognise and reward exceptional junior athletes who distinguished themselves in 2025 and contributed significantly to Nigeria’s medal haul.
Majekodunmi delivered an impressive run of performances on the track. At the last edition of the National Sports Festival, she stormed to gold in the 400m and the 4x400m relay. She replicated the double triumph at the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Junior Championship, in Abeokuta, before emerging as one of the standout stars at the African Youth Games in Luanda, Angola.
Speaking during the presentation, Olopade explained that the Commission deemed it necessary to extend financial appreciation to grassroots athletes after elite performers had earlier received grants running into thousands of dollars.
“A few weeks ago, after paying grants to our elite athletes, we agreed tthere was a need to also appreciate these young, budding talents who made Nigeria proud last year,” he said.
He disclosed that of the 376 medals recorded by Nigerian athletes in 2025, more than 200 were won by grassroots talents, underscoring the importance of sustained investment in youth development.