1,500 Entries for Unilorin Marathon 2015

About 1,515 road runners have signified their intentions to participate in the 2015 edition of University of Ilorin 21km half-marathon race.

The race is scheduled for Tuesday, October 20, 2015 at the Unilorin Sports Stadium.

Fifty one staff of the university, 121 athletes from other tertiary institutions in Kwara and students of Unilorin make up the cast of the road runners expected to set the city agog.

The Chairman of the Local Organising Committee of the event, Professor Uche Eke gave the low down of expected participants at a press conference for the race last Tuesday.

"All the runners must present themselves for training on Saturday October 17, 2015 at the Unilorin Sports Stadium at 8:00am prompt," he declared.

He also said that all runners from selected institutions other than University of Ilorin must produce a letter from their institutions confirming their studentship status.

"The race will follow dedicated and well-marked routes around Ilorin metropolis and terminate at the Unilorin Stadium," noting that, " the designated routes must be strictly adhered to. Anything contrary to this will result in automatic disqualification of athletes that flout the rule," Eke warned.

Professor Uche ‎further hinted that N2million was at stake as prize money for the marathoners while staff of the school and students who participated will get consolation prizes.

"The first male and female to finish the race will get N300, 000 each while the second male and female will get N250,000 respectively. N200,000 is at stake for the third placed male and female finishers respectively.

The fourth and fifth male and female placed athletes are to get N150,000 and N100,000 respectively.

The race according to Eke is supported by First Bank, Zenith Bank, 7up Bottling Company and Daily-Need Industries Ltd

"121 registered from outside Unilorin. Ten male and female students who finish the race will receive consolation prizes," Eke said. He however disclosed that First bank is their official banker of the race and all marathoners who win must open accounts with First Bank to claim their prizes.