Ogbomoso Marathon Race: Organisers jack up prize money as all set for tomorrow

Ogbomoso Marathon Race: Organisers jack up prize money as all set for tomorrow

Yinka ADETUNJI

All is set for the Ogbomoso Marathon Race tomorrow Saturday December 20 as organisers announce an increase in the prize money for winners.

“The prize money for winners of the Ogbomoso Marathon Race 4.0. has been jacked up from what we gave in previous years,” Hon Sola Kolawole, co-chairman (logistics), organising committee, told ogbomosoinsightonline.con during a chat Thursday.

“We are determined and committed to continually raising its standards in all facets and we recognised raising the monetary awards to winners is germane if we are to achieve our aim of attracting established athletes and more participants and make it more popular,” Hon Kolawole added.

“We might not have reached there but this year, the amount, winners will receive is way higher than last year’s. In previous years winners in each category got money in five figures that is less than ₦100, 000 (one hundred thousand naira) but this year definitely it is six figures but l won’t disclose the amount now.

“And we are considering giving the five highest performers in each category instead of the first three. We had some sponsors, the competition is improving the outlook of Ogbomoso. Moreover, it is motivating springing up of competitions in other sports. We started five years ago and this year’s is the fourth, we didn’t hold it in a year. It will get bigger and better in the spirit of Ogbomoso Cradles Carnival.”

The marathon race will feature 10km and 5km races and 2km fun trekking by the elderly. The 10km race will start off at Ogbomoso High School area through Ogbomoso Baptist High School, Arowomole, Ora Gada, Ora, Oja’gbo (will circle) the Soun Palace) before heading off towards Orita Naira, LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Isale-General and ends at the Soun Stadium.

For the 5km race it will start at the palace and take the route to the stadium as above. Meanwhile, it’s scheduled that the 5km race will begin upon the 10km participants reaching Ora Gada. The 2km fun trekking will take off at late Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola’s residence at Oke-Ado. 4×100 relay race will similarly hold among selected secondary schools at the stadium.

Kolawole informed all preparations are in place assuring of security and safety from reckless driving (as the routes would be locked down to traffic).

“We expect support of residents and urge them to cheer the athletes,” he added.

Ogbomoso Insight reports that a cycling race dubbed, “Gran Fondo” took place Thursday with dozens of cyclists racing from Ogbomoso to Iseyin and back.