Sports
989 Athletes Register For Coal City International Marathon
No fewer than 989 long distance athletes have registered for the forthcoming Enugu City Half-Marathon, tagged “Coal City International Marathon’’.
Tidesports source reports that Coal City International Marathon will be the first-ever international half-marathon to be held in the entire South-East Zone of the country.
Tidesports also reports that the marathon, which has the hash tag: #DARETORUN, will hold on November 24 within Enugu metropolis.
The Enugu State Commissioner for Sports, Joseph Udedi, told neswmen in Enugu, yesterday, that among the 989 long distance athletes, 416 are professional long distance athletes.
“A total of 389 local professional long distance runners have registered, while 17 international long distance athletes have registered as well.
“The international long distance athletes are from Kenya and Ethiopia respectively,’’ he said.
According to him, the ministry has opened an office for the marathon at the ground floor of the state’s Secretariat Complex in GRA, Enugu, to handle inquiries and other businesses pertaining the marathon.
Udedi also said that further inquiries could be done through the following telephone numbers: 08034004354, 08035537369 and 08156139125.
“Also, the marathon’s dedicated websites of www.coalcitymarathon.com or info@coalcitymarathon.com can be used for online registration and making inquiry as well,’’ he said.
He noted that the Local Organising Committee (LOC) had also placed restriction on the number of participants.
He said that only 3,000 athletes from across the country and beyond would be allowed to register to participate in the competition.
The Commissioner added that the LOC had put in place prize money for the winners in the male and female categories of the event.
“For each of the categories, the winner gets 3,500 dollars, first runner-up 3,000 dollars and second runner-up 2,500 dollars respectively.
“There will also be prize money for the first six winners in each category as well as other consolation prizes,’’ Udedi said.
The Commissioner said the event would spur home-based athletes to aspire to be like known international marathoners.
“The Coal City Marathon will surely put Enugu State on the world map of athletics in the area of excellence, development and talent discovery.
“The marathon period will be used to showcase the great culture and tourism prospects of Enugu State to the world,’’ 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.
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