Owan 10K Eyes The World: The Road Race Rewriting Nigeria’s Marathon Map
By TAYO TAIWO (T. T.) OLUWOLE
NIGERIA’S long-distance running ecosystem may soon gain a new international-grade road race, as organisers of the 10-kilometre Owan Marathon push for global recognition. The 5th edition, scheduled for Saturday, has recorded over 500 athlete registrations, according to race convener Chris Ojo.
The marathon already hosts runners from Abia, Ondo, Imo, Lagos and Delta, but the largest share of registered participants come from Plateau State, reinforcing the state’s growing reputation as one of Nigeria’s strongest distance-running reservoirs.
Ojo said improvements made for this edition were deliberate, forming part of a multi-year plan to take the race international by 2026. With support already secured from the AFN and Edo State authorities, the organisers are now focusing on upgrading operational standards to meet global marathon benchmarks, including expanded media coverage, structured athlete onboarding, and international-star invitations in future editions.
The Inflation Factor
The organisers confirmed an increase in prize money, not as a luxury, but a necessity, following rising inflationary pressures that have doubled costs in transport and event logistics. Even so, Ojo maintained that the marathon is a talent discovery engine, proudly pointing to athletes previously scouted at Owan who now compete in bigger national road races like Okpekpe and Lagos.
Edo Assembly Speaker Blessing Agbebaku pledged broader political and institutional support, calling on “well-meaning Nigerians” to invest in the initiative. He proposed turning the marathon into a statewide athlete-selection corridor, helping Edo harvest talents for continental competitions while reducing youth restiveness.
