The maiden Kaduna International Marathon 2020 billed for November 21, 2020 will see 50,000 runners compete for a $10,000 overall prize and N3 million prize for local winners with 10 elite athletes expected from across the world.
Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna state told a world press briefing in Kaduna at the weekend that the 21km half marathon race, with the theme: Let’s Run Together’, will gulp N300 million. He said the race is aimed at talent hunting, engaging the youth and attracting investment opportunities to the state.
Governor el-Rufai said that the prize money will range from $10,000 for the winner to $1,000 for the 10th position in the male and female elite category and from N3 million for the first placed Nigerian male and female runners to N250,000 for the 10th placed runners in that category. Ten elite male and female athletes have been invited with over 50,000 local and international runners expected to participate.
“The inaugural edition of Kaduna International Marathon race will take place on Saturday 24 November, 2020 as a half marathon. Kaduna Runs is designed as an annual sporting event of economic benefit to all. We hope it would help Kaduna state as an investment hub and spotting talent.
“Kaduna Runs is fully funded by sponsors and participants who registered to run. Kaduna runs are designed as a family and all inclusive affairs, it is 13 miles so it is less strenuous than a full marathon. Registered runners can drop off at any point, as participants can run 5km, 10km. I have already registered and I would not do more than 5km.
“We intend to raise the prize money and in 2021, we intend to put a line budget and double the prize money. It would be sustained until 2023 when we would leave office. Sports is a source of health and livelihood, a way of getting youths engaged and a business that can export footballers, athletes, basketballers. We want to revive the Kaduna clay court tennis tournament, make the Kaduna annual governors tournament to be an international golf event.”
Chairman of the organising committee, Mr Jimi Lawal said though there are lots of costs to cover, “we have few companies committed to be title sponsor, platinum, gold, silver and bronze sponsors. We are looking at between N250 and N300 million as the cost of the Kaduna Marathon race. We are sure of attracting enough sponsors to cover the costs. If we can attract the sponsors, it shows that the competition is sustainable.”
Minister of Sports, Mr Sunday Dare, who was represented by Athletics Federation of Nigeria chieftain, Alhaji Ahidjo Isa Kaita, commended Kaduna state government for giving the youth the opportunity to be engaged and to realise their potential. He urged that the marathon should be organised in line with standard and regulation of World Athletics.
Kaduna state Commissioner for Sports Development, Prof. Kabiru Mato said Kaduna International Marathon is part of the foundation to bring the state back to its past glory as a provider of sporting talents. “Kaduna shall revert back to sports talents production. No city has produced more national team stars than Kaduna. We would lay foundation to make Kaduna greater in sports which is the rationale behind the Kaduna Marathon race.”
