Musa Francis James and Akanbi Aderonke Olufunmilayo emerged as the standout performers at the 2026 Great Abeokuta 10km Race after winning the men’s and women’s categories respectively in a competitive return of the road-running event.
The fifth edition of the race was held on Saturday, October 3, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, bringing together Nigerian athletes, fitness enthusiasts and members of the public for a morning of road racing and community fitness.
James produced the fastest performance of the day in the men’s category, completing the 10km course in 30:25.33 to secure the top prize of $1,000.
He finished ahead of Ilya Raymond, who recorded 30:38.06 to take second place and earn $750, while Gyang Sunday completed the men’s podium in 30:47.00, collecting $500.
The women’s competition also produced a clear winner, with Akanbi crossing the finish line in 35:00.69 to claim the women’s title and the same $1,000 first prize.
Bulus Mary Jah finished second in 35:58.71, earning $750, while Nwantiyi Teyei Davou placed third with a time of 36:03.09 and received $500.
The equal prize structure was one of the notable features of the 2026 race. The first three finishers in both the men’s and women’s categories received identical rewards, reinforcing the organisers’ decision to place both competitions on the same financial footing. The official prize structure also lists $300 for fourth place and $100 for fifth in each category.
For James, the victory represented the reward for the preparation that went into his participation.
The men’s race was closely contested, with only 21 seconds separating James from Raymond at the finish and less than 22 seconds between the winner and the third-place finisher.
Akanbi’s victory was similarly significant in the women’s event, where she finished almost one minute ahead of Bulus Mary Jah to establish herself at the top of the field.
The 2026 edition was organised by Nilayo Sports Management Limited and returned after the organisers skipped the 2025 edition. Unlike some previous editions that featured international competitors, this year’s competitive field was restricted to Nigerian athletes, providing a platform for local runners to compete for significant prize money.
The race began at 7:00am from Macjob Grammar School, Onikolobo, with runners navigating the streets of Abeokuta before finishing at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Kuto. More than 1,000 participants took part in the event, according to reports following the race, while organisers had earlier projected more than 3,000 runners.
The event also attracted notable sports personalities and government officials, including former Minister of Youth and Sports Development Sunday Dare and National Sports Commission Director General Bukola Olopade.
Olopade highlighted the equal prize money as an important step towards promoting fairness between male and female athletes, while also pointing to the broader opportunities created by growing sporting events across Nigeria.
Beyond the competitive results, the Abeokuta 10km Race provided an avenue for residents and participants to promote fitness and healthy living while showcasing Ogun State as a destination for major road-running events.
With James and Akanbi taking the headline victories, the 2026 edition ended with Nigerian athletes at the centre of attention and two new champions taking home the biggest prizes available.
