Excitement As Imo Youth Marathon Holds In Owerri Saturday, Male & Female Winners To Pocket N500,000 Each

Excitement is in the air for athletes in Imo as the maiden edition of 'Imo Youth Marathon' tagged 'Running for Peace' will shake the city of Owerri, on Saturday May 10th, 2025 with the winners in male and female categories assured N500,000 each among other consolation cash prizes.

Imo Youth Marathon packaged by the Ministry of Youth and Talent Hunt headed by Emeka Mandela Ukaegbu is meant to enable Imo youths to improve their fitness level while getting rewarded from what will benefit their bodies.

The Commissioner for Youth and Talent Hunt, Emeka Mandela Ukaegbu said the Imo Youth Marathon with the slogan  Running for Peace is another first by the Imo State Government led by Governor Hope Uzodinma to ensure Imo youths are kept busy to disuade them from nefarious activities.

Ukaegbu confirmed that all Imo youths that will like to participate in the marathon must register online and ensure they get index numbers that will make them eligible to run on Saturday.

But that those without access to internet can still take part if they come to the Ministry of Youth, State Secretariat extension Owerri, opposite Heroes Square on Thursday and Friday between 9am and 3pm to be captured in the physical registration ahead of the marathon race on Saturday.

"All those that are unable to do the online registration, we are given them the opportunity to register physically. For those interested in joining the Peace Marathon they can come  on Thursday and Friday which is May 8th and 9th to register and still participate in the marathon on Saturday. They can come from 9am to 3pm to be able to register free of charge," Honourable Ukaegbu disclosed.

"To take part in the Imo Youth Marathon, you will be indexed with a number. Without it, you won't be allowed to run. Those interested in participating should come and take that index number during the physical registration at the Ministry of Youth, State Secretariat extension Owerri, opposite Heroes Square because if they come on Saturday morning without duly registered for the marathon race they won't be allowed to take part."

Revealing what would be the prize monies for the Saturday Imo Youth Marathon, Ukaegbu noted that both male and female winners will collect the same amount of money which N500,000 each while there are other consolation cash prizes from the second to the 20th positions.

"The winners will be in two categories: female and male. The first male/ female to reach the finish line will receive N500,000 while there will be other cash consolation prizes for the second to the 20th to get to the finish line," he concluded. 

The marathon race will kick off at the Imo Government House in the morning of Saturday with the runners running through Wetheral Road, inland roads among others before ending the contest at the Heroes Square.