By Faith Anisiobi, The Sight News
The organizers of the Enugu City International Marathon have announced a competitive prize purse for elite international athletes and Nigerian runners as the 2026 race enters its final three-day countdown.
The marathon, scheduled for Saturday, August 28, will transform Enugu into a major sporting, cultural and commercial hub, with athletes competing for top prizes across the 42-kilometre and 10-kilometre races.
For the 42km elite category, winners in the men’s and women’s races will receive $15,000, while the second-placed athlete will get $10,000 and the third-placed finisher $5,000. The fourth and fifth positions will attract $3,000 and $2,000 respectively.
In the 42km Nigerian category, the winner will receive N3 million, while the second, third, fourth and fifth positions will attract N2 million, N1.5 million, N1 million and N500,000 respectively.
For the 10km Nigerian race, the first-place winner will receive N1 million, with N750,000 for second, N500,000 for third, N300,000 for fourth and N200,000 for fifth.
The organizers said the prize structure was designed to attract world-class athletes to Enugu while providing direct incentives and opportunities for Nigerian runners.
They added that technical preparations for the event had been completed, with the race course measured and certified and medical, security and logistics teams fully briefed.
Digital timing systems and broadcast infrastructure have also been put in place to provide live coverage to audiences in Nigeria and beyond.
Media organizations including Arise TV, Channels Television and AIT are expected to provide coverage, while the International Conference Centre will serve as the official World Press Centre for the event.
The Local Organizing Committee said the increased prize purse reflected the ambition of the second edition of the marathon.
“Year one was our introduction to the world. Year two is our standard,” the committee said, adding that Enugu was ready to host world-class competition while rewarding Nigerian talent.
Beyond athletics, the organizers described the marathon as an economic and tourism platform capable of boosting businesses and promoting Enugu as an investment and tourism destination.
They said hotels, restaurants, transport operators, vendors and other small businesses were already experiencing increased activity ahead of the race weekend.
The event is also expected to generate temporary employment and business opportunities for residents, while showcasing Enugu’s cultural identity and capacity to host major international events.
The organizers urged residents and visitors to attend the Marathon Expo, support athletes along the race route and follow the live broadcast.
With three days to the race, the organizers said athletes, volunteers, medical personnel, students and spectators were ready for what is expected to be a major sporting spectacle in Coal City.
