Winners at the 2023 Abeokuta 10km Road Race, billed to hold on September 9, will earn mouth-watering cash rewards ranging from $5,000 to N200,000.

According to the organisers of the competition, Nilayo Sports Management Limited, the first prize winner in the elite category will get $5, 000, second placed runner will earn $3, 000, while the third, fourth and fifth place finishers will get $2, 000, $1,500 and $1,000 respectively.

The competition also has special prizes for Nigerian runners, with the first finisher getting N2 million, N1 million will go to the second place finisher, while the third, fourth and fifth place winners will earn N500, 000, N300, 000 and N200, 000 respectively.

The organisers disclosed that more than 42 elite foreign runners will participate in the race.

Unveiling the race in Abeokuta, yesterday, Chief Executive Officer of Nilayo Sports Management Limited, Bukola Olopade, said the 2023 Abeokuta 10km Race is special in many ways.

Olopade, who is happy with Lotus Bank’s emergence as title sponsor, explained that the race would be part of the weeklong activities of 80th birthday of Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo.

He added that the finish point of the race, which is the third in the series, is the front of Alake’s Palace, which incidentally, is opposite the Abeokuta branch office of Lotus Bank.

“I am proud to also add that top executives of most of our sponsors like 7Up, Kenya Airways and Cash Token, among others, are all indigenes of Egbaland.

“This edition is being staged by the Egba people to the international community. There will be fanfare at the finish point after the race,” he said.

Explaining his bank’s interest in the race, Group Head, Lotus Bank, Foladimi Brodie-Mends, said it was aimed at helping the state’s youths and also to further expand the tentacles of the bank.

Also speaking on the race, Alake of Egba, Oba Aremu Gbadebo, who hosted organisers, sponsors and journalists after the press conference unveiling the 2023 Abeokuta 10km Road Race, commended the organisers for maintaining high standards in the state.