The organisers of the Calabar Marathon have unveiled an expanded prize structure and a community focused development strategy for the forthcoming edition, with indigenous Cross River athletes set to benefit from a dedicated prize category aimed at nurturing local talent and widening opportunities through sports.
By Victoria Omini- CALABAR
The initiative, unveiled during a press conference in Calabar, is anchored on the theme, “Run for Conscience Against Poverty,” and seeks to use athletics as a platform for addressing poverty, promoting healthy living, discovering talent and stimulating economic activities across Cross River State.
Project Manager, Charles Adah, disclosed that the organisers had introduced separate prize categories for national and international competitors and indigenous Cross River athletes to ensure that local runners receive greater recognition and financial rewards for their performances.
Under the new arrangement, winners in the national and international category will receive ₦1.2 million each for the men's and women's first positions, while second place attracts ₦700,000 and third place ₦400,000 in the respective categories.
For indigenous Cross River athletes, the first prize will be ₦500,000 each for male and female winners, while second place attracts ₦300,000 and third place ₦200,000.
Adah explained that the decision followed concerns that athletes from outside the state had frequently dominated the leading positions, leaving many Cross River competitors with limited opportunities to secure the major prizes.
He said the new structure was designed to motivate young athletes from communities including Obudu and Bakassi, giving them an opportunity to compete, develop their abilities and build careers in athletics.
The organisers also announced additional incentives for participants, with the first 28 finishers expected to receive ₦50,000 each as transport support, alongside other prizes and consolation packages intended to encourage wider participation.
According to Adah, the marathon will feature three categories: a 21.1 kilometre race for professional and elite athletes, a 10 kilometre fun run for recreational participants and a five kilometre charity and fitness walk involving non governmental organisations and other interested groups.
He said the race would follow the Carnival Calabar route, with the event scheduled to start and finish along the designated course. The prize presentation is expected to take place at Marina Leisure Resort.
The project manager traced the development of the marathon to earlier collaborations involving the Calabar Marathon Foundation and tourism stakeholders, crediting the support of the Cross River State Tourism Bureau with helping to establish the initiative.
He particularly acknowledged the role of the Bureau's Managing Director, John Atsu, in supporting the project during its formative period, when the Nigerian Flavours initiative was integrated with the Calabar Marathon to promote domestic tourism.
In his remarks, Atsu said the current edition was intended to move beyond competition by encouraging residents to reflect on the effects of poverty and the need for responsible use of available resources.
He noted that inflation, economic pressures and global developments had affected households and communities, stressing that citizens and institutions could contribute to tackling poverty through practical decisions, efficiency and collective responsibility.
Atsu added that the ambition was to build the marathon into a world class sporting event that would remain firmly rooted in Cross River State, attracting visitors while creating opportunities for local talent and the tourism sector.
He described the theme as a call for greater awareness of the social and economic realities confronting residents, urging participants to see the marathon as more than a race for medals and prize money.
The Commissioner for Tourism, Obi Ayuk, also commended the collaboration between the Ministry of Tourism and the Cross River State Tourism Bureau, describing the relationship as important to strengthening the state's tourism programmes.
Ayuk encouraged the Bureau's management to sustain the momentum and urged the media to continue promoting the state's tourism potential through coverage of initiatives such as the marathon.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Association of Athletics Technical Officials pledged its support for the event, with its state chairman, Dr Victor Eyam, assuring the organisers that technical officials were prepared to ensure proper conduct of the race.
Eyam, however, stressed the importance of adequate medical screening and emergency support for athletes to reduce the risk of avoidable casualties during the competition.
A former chairman of the association, D. Paul Ebiala, praised the organisers for sustaining the marathon over four consecutive editions and expressed optimism that the event would continue to expand in scope and reach.
Security was also highlighted as a key consideration, with the representative of the Commissioner of Police, Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations Adewalehinmi Joshua, assuring participants, visitors and other stakeholders of adequate security arrangements for the event.
The AIDS Healthcare Foundation, one of the marathon's longstanding partners, reaffirmed its commitment to providing HIV testing, prevention information, condoms, lubricants and referral services during the programme.
The foundation's Acting State Lead, Pharm. Franklyn Lumenze, said the organisation would use the gathering to promote awareness, encourage people to know their HIV status and link those requiring care to appropriate health facilities.
He disclosed that two participants who tested positive during the previous edition had been referred to the foundation's facilities and were receiving treatment.
Beyond the sporting activities, the organisers said the marathon's poverty reduction objective would extend to communities, schools and sports clubs through engagement and outreach programmes designed to encourage participation and inspire young people.
The initiative aligns with the Cross River State Government's People First agenda, with organisers emphasising that the long term value of the event should be measured not only by race results but also by its contribution to youth development, public health, tourism and community inclusion.
With the introduction of dedicated rewards for indigenous athletes, expanded participation categories and stronger community engagement, the organisers are seeking to position the Calabar Marathon as both a competitive sporting event and a platform for creating opportunities for Cross River residents.
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