Plateau State has once again demonstrated its supremacy in Nigerian distance running after its athletes claimed all top honors at the second edition of the Ikogosi 17.5KM Marathon held on November 9, 2025.
Elite Runners Showcase Dominance
The prestigious event, organized by the Ikogosi Marathon Initiative (IMI), witnessed an impressive display of endurance as Plateau runners dominated both male and female elite categories. Iliya Raymond Gyang emerged champion in the men's division with an impressive time of 57 minutes and 33 seconds, narrowly beating fellow Plateau athlete Francis James who finished at 57 minutes and 44 seconds.
Sadjo Ismael completed the men's podium sweep with a third-place finish at 59 minutes and 16 seconds. The women's race followed a similar pattern with Blessing Shamboa claiming victory at 68 minutes flat, ahead of Akusho Lydia Thomas (70:12) and Nvou Gyang Tanko (71:15).
Record Participation and Local Talent
The 2025 edition marked significant growth for the event, attracting 6,891 registered runners with 3,694 athletes successfully completing the challenging course that began at Ilawe-Ekiti Roundabout and concluded at the iconic Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort.
Beyond the elite competition, the marathon also spotlighted homegrown Ekiti talent. In the indigenous male category, Tunde Segun from Otun-Ekiti took top honors, followed by Sunday Ijoko from Ijero-Ekiti and Agbalaya Alayande from Ado-Ekiti. The female indigenous category saw Ona Ara Popoola from Ilawe-Ekiti emerge victorious, with Imisioluwa Ajayi from Igbemo-Ekiti and Maria Ojanbati from Omuo-Ekiti completing the top three.
Boosting Sports Tourism in Ekiti
Race Consultant and Technical Lead Femi Abegunde highlighted the event's expanding impact, noting that the marathon has evolved into a comprehensive platform promoting youth empowerment, tourism development, and community engagement across Ekiti State.
The success of this year's edition was made possible through strong institutional support from the Ekiti State Government, major corporate sponsorship from Premium Trust Bank, and consistent backing from the MKD ARAOYE Foundation since the marathon's inception in 2019.
His Royal Majesty, Oba Ajibade Alabi, the Alawe of Ilawe-Ekiti, officially flagged off the event, commending organizers for their sustained excellence in elevating sports tourism standards and fostering unity through athletic competition.
With strategic partners including Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort providing exceptional finish-line experiences and GossyWater ensuring hydration safety, the Ikogosi 17.5KM Marathon continues to strengthen Ekiti State's position as Nigeria's emerging hub for sports tourism and youth-focused programming.
