The 2026 Calabar Marathon has unveiled a prize scheme for indigenous athletes to boost local interest in the sport as champions in the male and female divisions of the national and international category would take home a maximum prize of N1.2 million each.
The Managing Director and Chairman of the Calabar Marathon Organising Team, John Atsu, stated this today during an international news conference in Calabar, saying the organisers were trying to build the event into a world-class competition.
The marathon will be “Run for Conscience Against Poverty” with three categories, namely 21.1-kilometre professional race, 10-kilometre fun run and a five-kilometre charity and fitness walk for non-governmental organisations and other participants.
“The organising team is working with technical partners to improve the event and ensure the safety of participants and spectators,” Atsu said, adding that provisions had been established to tackle health and other issues.
There was no blanket age discrimination against participants who were physically strong and healthy, he said, though restrictions would apply to children participating in the complete race.
The chairman said technical officials had recently gone out and measured the course to verify it was up to par and he was optimistic that additional upgrades would enhance the marathon’s international reputation.
He said the marathon was supported by organisations such as MTN Nigeria and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company.
Project Manager, Charles Ada, said the first place winners in the national and international categories would get N1.2 million each, second place winners would get N700,000 each and third place winners would get N400,000 apiece.
Ada said male and female winners will earn N500, 000 each, second-place finishers N300, 000 apiece and third-place winners N200, 000 each for the indigenes.
He said the organisers had distributed 28 prizes with those finishing among the first 28 qualified to earn N50,000 each as transportation support.
He said the introduction of the separate categories was to encourage Cross River athletes, especially the young ones from different local government areas, to compete and enhance their performance against competitors from other parts of Nigeria and even beyond.
Ada said the race’s poverty-focused theme will continue throughout the rest of the year, with plans to involve schools, sports groups and communities through outreach initiatives meant to encourage participation and generate economic opportunities for citizens.
He said traders and small business operators will also gain from the event with heightened commercial activities as athletes, visitors and spectators converge for the tournament.
Ajo Or Due, ACP Adewalehinmi Joshua, speaking on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Cross River State, assured participants and guests of appropriate security and said that steps would be put in place to make the event secure.
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