Call for Equal Prize Money as 700 Athletes Gear Up for Splash FM Ibadan City Marathon
As excitement builds for the return of the Splash FM Ibadan City Marathon after a four-year hiatus, stakeholders and sports advocates are urging organizers to align with global standards by ensuring equal prize money for male and female athletes, in line with World Athletics and the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) policies.
The call comes ahead of the 12th edition of the 42-kilometer race, scheduled to flag off at 7:00 a.m. this weekend from the historic Obafemi Awolowo Stadium (formerly Liberty Stadium). With 700 registered runners, including past champions, the event is poised to be one of the largest in its history.
General Manager of Operations, Splash FM, Tunde Olawuwo, announced during a press briefing that the male winner will receive ₦1.2 million, while the female winner will earn ₦800,000—a disparity that has drawn attention from sports advocates calling for parity.
‘This marathon is a celebration of resilience and excellence. But true excellence is inclusive,’ said one advocate. ‘Equal prize money isn’t just fair—it’s the global standard.’
World Athletics, the international governing body for track and field, mandates equal prize money for men and women at its major events. The Athletics Federation of Nigeria also supports this principle, promoting gender equity across national competitions.
Despite the prize gap, organizers have promised medals for the top 20 finishers and certificates for all who complete the course. Olawuwo emphasized the symbolic importance of the race:
‘Even in the break, the marathon’s heartbeat never stopped. This isn’t just a race—it’s a homecoming.’
Oyo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Miss Wasilat Adegoke, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to the event, noting that the Makinde-led administration was the first to officially sponsor the marathon since its inception in 2008.
‘This is leadership that believes in the power of sports to transform lives,’ she said, pledging continued support for grassroots development and youth empowerment.
As the city prepares to welcome runners along a scenic route that spans Stadium–Iyaganku–Alesinloye–Eleyele–Sango–Ojoo–Iwo Road–Gate–Bere–Oja Oba–Challenge, and back to the stadium, the spotlight remains on the need for fairness and inclusion.
