History of the Abuja Grand Marathon
Kubwa 10km Road Race – 2018
The Abuja Grand Marathon – Kubwa 10km Road Race was first introduced in 2018 as a community-driven initiative aimed at promoting health, fitness, and active living among residents of Nigeria's capital city. Branded with the inspiring slogan "Be Fit, Be Alive," the event was created to remind individuals and families that maintaining physical fitness is one of the most important investments in long-term health and wellbeing.
The Vision Behind the Event
The inaugural edition of the race was conceived and organized by Skybearers International Nigeria Limited, a wholly Nigerian-owned company committed to encouraging healthier lifestyles through sport and community engagement.
At the time, the marathon had no external sponsors. The entire event was fully funded and executed by the organizers, demonstrating a strong belief in the value of community fitness programs and the transformative power of sporting events. The organizers envisioned a race that would not only challenge athletes but also inspire everyday citizens to embrace running, physical activity, and wellness as part of their daily lives.
Race Day and Participation
Held in Kubwa, Abuja, the race covered a 10-kilometer road course, carefully mapped through the local road network to provide a competitive yet accessible route for runners of different levels. Despite being the very first edition, the event attracted an impressive 400 participants, most of whom were residents of Abuja and surrounding communities.
Participants ranged from competitive runners and fitness enthusiasts to recreational runners who joined simply to challenge themselves and celebrate the spirit of healthy living.
Competition and Prize Awards
🥇 1st Place
- ₦150,000 Cash Prize
- Professional Race Shoe
- Gold Medal
🥈 2nd Place
- ₦100,000 Cash Prize
- Professional Race Shoe
- Silver Medal
🥉 3rd Place
- ₦50,000 Cash Prize
- Professional Race Shoe
- Bronze Medal
In addition, Top 50 Finishers received official medals, and Certificates of Completion personally signed by the organizers were awarded to all participants.
The First Champion
The inaugural race crowned Mr. Enwerem Michael as the first-ever champion of the Abuja Grand Marathon – Kubwa 10km Road Race. His impressive performance set the benchmark for future competitors and etched his name into the event's history as the race's first Gold Medal winner.
The Second Edition
Gwarimpa 10km Road Race – 2019
Following the encouraging success of the inaugural race in 2018, the organizers returned in 2019 with a bigger and more ambitious second edition — the Abuja Grand Marathon – Gwarimpa 10km Road Race — carrying a powerful new message:
"Be Fit, Be Free."
The message emphasized the importance of living a drug-free lifestyle, particularly among young people, combining sport with social awareness to inspire young Nigerians to choose strength, endurance, and healthy ambition over harmful habits.
A Major Leap in Participation
While the first edition drew 400 runners, the second edition attracted an impressive 1,018 participants — more than doubling the previous year's turnout. More notably, runners traveled from seven different Nigerian states, marking the event's transition from a purely local race to a multi-state athletic gathering.
The First Corporate Partnership
A major milestone for the 2019 edition was the event's first corporate sponsorship, secured through the global beverage brand Coca-Cola. Coca-Cola supported the marathon with cash sponsorship and product contributions, providing refreshments, gift items, and prizes for runners and spectators alike.
The 2019 Champions
🥇
Mr. Mohammed Abdul-Majeed
1st Place🥈
Mr. Manasseh Cham
2nd Place🥉
Mr. Aliyu Suleiman
3rd PlaceLooking Ahead – The Next Chapter
Plans are underway for the next major edition of the marathon scheduled for mid-2026, which aims to bring an even larger field of runners, expanded sponsorship partnerships, and enhanced race experiences — continuing the mission:
Be Fit. Be Free. Run for Life.
Previous Sponsors
Our Mission
The Abuja Grand Marathon was established with a clear purpose: to promote health, fitness, and positive lifestyle choices through organized road racing events that inspire communities to embrace active living.
From the 2018 Kubwa edition with "Be Fit, Be Alive" to the 2019 Gwarimpa edition with "Be Fit, Be Free," the marathon has consistently emphasized healthy living, discipline, and freedom from harmful habits such as drug abuse and sedentary lifestyles.
The Abuja Grand Marathon is not just a race — it is a movement that encourages Nigerians to run toward healthier, more productive lives.
Our Vision
Our long-term vision is to transform the Abuja Grand Marathon into the flagship event of a nationwide marathon series, expanding into major cities across Nigeria and eventually becoming one of the most recognized road racing brands in Africa.
Planned city races include:
- The Lagos Grand Marathon
- The Port Harcourt Grand Marathon
- The Calabar Grand Marathon
- The Abuja Grand Marathon
- And more city-based races across Nigeria
Impact on the Community
Promoting Health & Fitness
The race encourages individuals to incorporate physical exercise into their daily routines, helping combat lifestyle-related health challenges such as obesity, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases.
Youth Empowerment & Drug-Free Advocacy
Through campaigns such as "Be Fit, Be Free," the marathon highlights the importance of choosing healthy lifestyles, sending a powerful message to young people about the value of discipline and self-care.
Strengthening Community Engagement
The marathon creates a vibrant atmosphere where residents, families, and supporters gather to celebrate sport, health, and collective achievement.
Encouraging Sports Development
The event provides emerging runners with an opportunity to compete in a structured race environment while receiving recognition and rewards for outstanding performance.
Opportunities for Sponsors & Partners
The Abuja Grand Marathon presents a unique platform for corporate organizations, government institutions, and development partners to support a nationwide health and wellness movement.
Nationwide Brand Visibility
Gain exposure across multiple cities through race branding, banners, participant kits, media coverage, and digital promotion.
CSR Impact
Demonstrate your company's commitment to public health, youth empowerment, and community development — key pillars of modern corporate social responsibility.
Direct Consumer Engagement
Interact directly with thousands of active consumers, athletes, families, and spectators in a dynamic and energetic environment.
Partnership Categories
- ✔Title Sponsorship
- ✔City Marathon Sponsorship
- ✔Health & Wellness Partnerships
- ✔Sports Equipment Partnerships
- ✔Media Partnerships
- ✔Community Development Sponsorships
The Grand Marathon Series
Nigeria's Multi-City Race Network
The Grand Marathon Series represents an ambitious vision to build Nigeria's first coordinated multi-city marathon platform, designed to promote fitness, tourism, youth development, and national sporting excellence. The series will connect multiple cities through an expanding calendar of professionally organized road races:
The 2026 Abuja Grand Marathon
After the successful staging of the 2018 and 2019 editions, preparations are underway for the next exciting edition scheduled for mid-2026.
A Bigger Race Experience
Expected to attract competitive athletes, recreational runners, corporate teams, fitness clubs, youth participants, and community runners from across Nigeria and beyond.
Enhanced Race Organisation
Planned improvements include improved timing systems, expanded registration platforms, better hydration stations, increased volunteer participation, and enhanced race-day entertainment.
Greater Partnership Opportunities
Open to corporate organizations, financial institutions, telecom companies, sports brands, health companies, and international partners through title sponsorships, category partnerships, and community engagement initiatives.
A Celebration of Community
More than just a race, the 2026 edition will be a celebration of health, resilience, and community spirit — reinforcing the message: Fitness is freedom. Fitness is life.
Join the Movement
As the Abuja Grand Marathon prepares for its next chapter, we invite runners, sponsors, volunteers, and supporters to be part of a growing movement dedicated to promoting healthier lifestyles and stronger communities across Nigeria.
Be Fit. Be Free. Run for Life.