2025 Calabar Marathon: C-River Tourism Bureau Dangles N1m Prize Money
BY UBON EKANEM, CALABAR – The Cross River State Tourism Bureau (CRSTB) is dangling One Million Naira as prize money for the winner of this year’s edition of the Calabar Marathon.
According to the Bureau, winners in both the male and female categories of the race would go home with the same prize money.
The race, popularly tagged the Sweet Prince Marathon, holds on Saturday, 19th April 2025 and is expected to attract over 5,000 participants from across Nigeria and beyond.
Managing Director of the Tourism Bureau, Prince Ekpenyong Ojoi explained that the 24-kilometre race focuses on talent hunt with a mission to discover and raise budding runners from the State for both national and international competitions.
Ojoi also said the State Government is committed to exploring all available avenues aimed at engaging and taking the attention of teeming youths away from social vices and other evil tendencies.
He said the flagship event, primed to promote youth empowerment, tourism, and healthy living, is part of the State government’s efforts at introducing viable ventures and options that would engage the youths in productive activities and self-sustaining enterprises.
The Bureau Chief Executive said though the laurels and price money at stake during last year’s edition of the competition were carted home by participants from other states, the Cross River government is not deterred by such outcome.
He explained that that task ahead is to encourage youths from the state through effective preparation to compete favourably with athletes from other states and climes
On medical and security measures put in place to ensure a successful and hitch-free competition, the Tourism Chief disclosed that a robust strategic partnership has been struck with relevant medical personnels as well as security agencies to effectively screen participants.
He said in addition, security operatives would be stationed at strategic locations and areas along the marathon route for the security and safety of both participants and officials.
On his part, the Special Adviser to the Governor on General Duties, Barrister Ekpenyong Akiba, offered greater insight on the State government’s plans for the annual race as a hunting and discovery ground of homegrown talents.
Akiba said the real work would be to mentor the discovered stars into the next generation of super athletes
He also hinted that the prize money for future participants in the annual long-distance race will gradually be upgraded to about 10 million Naira to attract world-class competitors to showcase their talents at the event.
