By Maxwell Kumoye
All roads lead to Edo State this Saturday as the 11th Okpekpe International 10km Road Race prepares to deliver another thrilling spectacle, with over 50 elite athletes from across the globe expected to battle for glory in West Africa’s premier Gold Label road race.
Technical Director and General Coordinator of the race, Olympian Yusuf Alli, says preparations have entered top gear, with athletes already arriving in Nigeria ahead of what promises to be one of the biggest editions in the event’s history.
Speaking in an exclusive chat with Sportsville, the former Nigerian long jump star revealed that organisers have been working around the clock to ensure a seamless and world-class competition.
“The athletes started arriving from across the world on Monday, May 25th, ahead of the race this weekend,” Alli disclosed.
“As we speak, all the technical areas have been perfected and our personnel are working tirelessly to ensure we achieve a great race on Saturday.”
The Okpekpe Road Race has continued to grow in stature since its inception, attracting some of the finest long-distance runners globally while placing Nigeria firmly on the international athletics map.
According to Alli, this year’s edition will witness a record increase in elite participation.
“At the last edition, we had over 40 elite athletes, but for this edition, the number should be above 50 because of those who have shown interest in competing,” he said.
“The numbers keep increasing every year and that tells you the pedigree of the race.”
With security concerns dominating national discourse, organisers have also moved decisively to guarantee maximum protection for athletes, officials and spectators throughout the competition.
Alli revealed that security arrangements have been significantly upgraded for the 2026 edition.
“Our athletes will be closely monitored and the routes will be properly covered before, during and after the race,” he assured.
Medical preparedness, another critical component of any elite road race, has also received major attention, with organisers assembling a highly experienced team led by Dr. Sam Ogbondeminu.
Alli described the medical director as one of the finest professionals in the business.
“Dr. Sam Ogbondeminu is the first Nigerian medical doctor to become a World Athletics-certified medical director and his profile speaks for itself,” Alli said.
“Since the inception of this race, we have always had top professionals handling the medical aspect and by our records, we’ve had no issues at all.”
Despite the growth and international recognition of the Okpekpe Race, one reality still troubles Nigerian athletics lovers, no Nigerian athlete has won the competition since it began, with East African runners maintaining total dominance over the years.
While admitting concern over the trend, Alli remains optimistic that Nigeria’s breakthrough moment is approaching.
“Our long-distance runners are still trying to catch up with their East African counterparts, but the road race culture in Nigeria is improving,” he noted.
“We believe very soon our brothers from the Mambilla area of Plateau State, who are naturally built for long-distance races, will make the country proud.”
Beyond medals and competition, Alli believes road races can become powerful economic tools capable of transforming communities and boosting local economies across Nigeria.
He pointed to the rapid expansion of marathon and road race events nationwide as evidence of growing momentum within the sector.
“Aside from Okpekpe, we now have races in Lagos, Abeokuta, Bayelsa, Abuja, Jos and several other places across the country,” he explained.
“All we need now is to create an economic value chain around these events and the commercial impact will be massive.”
As the countdown to Saturday intensifies, anticipation continues to rise for another chapter of drama, speed and endurance on the hills of Okpekpe.
For organisers, athletes and fans alike, the mission remains clear, to once again prove why the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race remains the gold standard of road racing in West Africa.
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