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•As Dare, Olopade grace race
Musa Francis James and Akanbi Aderonke Olufunmilayo took the men’s and women’s titles at the fifth Great Abeokuta 10KM Race on Saturday, October 3, 2026, each pocketing $1,000.
Musa clocked 30:25.33 to beat Ilya Raymond (30:38.06) and Gyang Sunday (30:47.00) to the podium. In the women’s race, Akanbi crossed the line in 35:00.69, ahead of Bulus Mary Jah (35:58.71) and Nwantiyi Teyei Davou (36:03.09). First and second runners-up in each category received $750 and $500 respectively, and every finisher got a commemorative medal.
The race, organised by Nilayo Sports Management Limited, was graced by former Minister of Youth and Sports Development and current Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, and the Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade.
More than 1,000 participants took part. It flagged off at 7am from Macjob Grammar School, Onikolobo, passed through Abeokuta’s undulating streets and ended at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena, Kuto. Kit collection ran from Wednesday, September 30 to Friday, October 2, at the arena’s parking lot.
This year’s edition was open only to Nigerian athletes. Organisers still kept the prize money at the level normally contested by international runners.
The race returned after the organisers deliberately skipped the 2025 edition. It was first billed for September 26 but was moved to October 3. Managing Director and CEO of Nilayo, Yetunde Olopade, said the change was necessary because of arrangements that could not be overlooked, and assured that it would not affect the quality of the event.
At the pre-race press conference at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Mrs. Olopade thanked the Ogun State Government, Phlo, Bet9ja Foundation, Aquafina and 7UP for their support. She noted that the race runs on the state’s roads. Race Director Yusuf Alli said adequate logistics were in place to keep runners safe and comfortable.
After the race, Mrs. Olopade said the organisers were pleased with the outcome and praised the athletes’ commitment. NSC DG Bukola Olopade highlighted the wider opportunities being created for athletes and commended the equal prize money for men and women as a step towards equality in sport. Dare praised Nilayo for staging another top-class race and commended Abeokuta residents for their turnout.
Dare presented medals to some of the athletes at the ceremony, as did Kola Daniel, Special Adviser on Media to the NSC Director General.
Other dignitaries included Ogun State Commissioner for the Sports Development Wasiu Isiaka; Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth Development Tunde Delu; former Commissioner for Women Affairs Adijat Motunrayo Adeleye; and former Assembly members Femi Allen Taylor and Idowu Olowofuja.
The event ended with a post-race concert at the finish line.
