Musa Francis James and Akanbi Aderonke Olufunmilayo emerged as the standout performers at the fifth edition of the Abeokuta 10km Race in Ogun State on Saturday, claiming the men’s and women’s titles respectively in a keenly contested road race.
Francis James dominated the men’s category, crossing the finish line in 30:25.33 to secure the $1,000 first prize. He maintained his advantage over a competitive field to finish ahead of Ilya Raymond, who recorded 30:38.06 and earned $750.
Gyang Sunday completed the men’s podium after posting 30:47.00, taking home $500 for his third-place finish.
In the women’s category, Akanbi Aderonke Olufunmilayo produced a winning time of 35:00.69 to claim the top prize of $1,000.
Bulus Mary Jah finished second in 35:58.71 and received $750, while Nwantiyi Teyei Davou crossed the line third in 36:03.09 to earn $500.
The performances underscored the growing competitiveness of the Abeokuta 10km Race, which brought together elite runners, fitness enthusiasts and residents as the city hosted the fifth edition of the event.
For the leading athletes, the race represented more than a battle for prize money. It provided an opportunity to test their preparation against strong competition while competing on a platform that has continued to attract runners to Abeokuta.
James, visibly pleased with his victory, said his preparation had paid off and expressed appreciation to the organisers for providing athletes with an opportunity to compete.
“I’m very happy with the victory,” James said.
“It feels good to see all the hard work and preparation pay off. I’m grateful for the opportunity to compete here, and I want to appreciate the organisers for putting together such a good race and giving athletes like us the platform to compete and challenge ourselves.”
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| Podium finishers (men) at the 2026 Abeokuta 10KM road race |
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| Podium finishers (women) at the 2026 Abeokuta 10KM road race |
“I’m glad and excited to have been a winner. It feels really good to see all the effort and preparation pay off.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to compete here, and I want to appreciate the organisers for putting together a race that gives athletes like us the platform to compete and challenge ourselves,” he said.
For Gyang, securing a place on the podium was another highlight of the competition. He praised the organisers for creating an avenue for athletes to test themselves and expressed hope that the race would continue to expand.
“I’m just happy to be one of the people to grace the podium. It is a good feeling to finish among the top athletes, especially in a race like this. I appreciate the organisers for giving us the opportunity to compete, and I hope this initiative continues to grow and attract even more athletes in the years ahead,” he said.
Akanbi, meanwhile, said winning the women’s race was particularly satisfying because of the effort invested in her preparation.
“I am very happy to have won the women’s race. It was not easy, but I am glad that all the hard work paid off. I commend the organisers for creating this opportunity and for the effort they put into making the race a success. I hope the Abeokuta 10km Race continues to grow and gives more athletes the chance to compete at this level,” she said.
The event was organised by Nilayo Sports Management Limited and attracted sports enthusiasts, dignitaries and residents from different parts of Abeokuta.
Managing Director of Nilayo Sports Management Limited, Yetunde Olopade, described the outcome of the race as encouraging and commended the athletes and other participants for their commitment.
Olopade also acknowledged the support of the Ogun State Government, sponsors and partners, including Phlo, Bet9ja Foundation, 7UP and Aquafina, saying their contributions were instrumental to the success of the event.
“We are delighted with the outcome of this year’s Abeokuta 10km Race. The quality, organisation and enthusiasm shown by the participants have once again demonstrated what can be achieved when everyone comes together.
“We appreciate the Ogun State Government, our sponsors, partners and everyone who contributed to making this race a colourful and successful event. Nilayo Sports Management Limited will continue to uphold the class and quality that the company is known for,” Olopade said.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, used the occasion to draw attention to the wider opportunities available to Nigerian athletes as sporting events continue to expand across the country.
He particularly highlighted the decision to award equal prize money to the winners of the men’s and women’s races, describing the move as an important step towards promoting equality in sport.
“I have always been a fan of equality. When you look at what Nilayo has done here, giving the same prize money to the men and women, it is something we should encourage,” he said.
“The Nigerian sporting ecosystem is getting bigger, and with events like this, we are creating more avenues for our sportsmen and women to thrive, compete and earn a living from sport.”
Also speaking after the race, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Chief Sunday Dare, commended Nilayo Sports Management Limited for successfully staging another road race.
Dare also praised residents of Abeokuta for turning out to support the event, saying the race demonstrated Nigeria’s capacity to organise high-quality sporting competitions while promoting fitness and healthy living.
“Nilayo has once again demonstrated that we can organise world-class sporting events in Nigeria. This is a top-class event, and the turnout of the people of Abeokuta shows the passion Nigerians have for sports and healthy living,” he said.
Beyond the competitive aspect, the race provided residents with an opportunity to participate in fitness activities and further showcased Abeokuta’s potential as a destination for road races and other sporting events.
The fifth edition also drew a number of government officials and prominent personalities, including Ogun State Commissioner for Sports Development, Wasiu Isiaka; Special Adviser to the Ogun State Governor on Youth Development, Tunde Delu; former Ogun State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Adijat Motunrayo Adeleye; and former members of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Femi Allen Taylor and Idowu Olowofuja.
With another successful staging completed, the Abeokuta 10km Race continues to position itself as a platform for athletic competition, community participation and the promotion of healthy living, while providing Nigerian runners with opportunities to compete and earn recognition.