By Femi Atolagbe
A total of 48 runners on Saturday competed in the Ulefunta Festival Marathon in Akure, as organisers sought to give the week-long cultural festival a wider national appeal through sports.
The race began from the Imafon axis, passed through several parts of Akure and ended at the Palace of the Deji of Akure.
Speaking with journalists after the race, the Chairman of the Steering Committee for the 2026 Ulefunta Festival, Mr Adekunle Ajanaku, said the marathon was organised to complement the traditional Owa Oropo Marathon, which is held annually by palace servants as part of the festival.
Ajanaku said the initiative was designed to advance the traditional festival, discover new sporting talents and promote peace and unity among runners and sports enthusiasts, particularly in Ondo State.
He added that the event was intended to provide a major sporting opening for the week-long Ulefunta Festival while attracting participants from outside the state.
“This is the second edition. There was no edition in 2024 and 2025, so we are trying to put it together again.
“So far, so good, with 48 participants. I think it is good enough and above average,” he said.
According to him, plans were underway to register the marathon with relevant authorities, particularly the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), to give the event wider recognition.
He said participants came from Kwara, Kogi and Osun states, as well as Ifedore, Akure North and other parts of Ondo State.
“The beauty of it is having people from other climes and all over the country. That is the beauty of it, to further amplify the festival beyond Ondo State and get more sponsors,” Ajanaku said.
He disclosed that the traditional Owa Oropo Marathon would begin on Sunday and run until Tuesday as part of activities for the Ulefunta Festival.
Earlier, the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, commended the organising committee for putting together what he described as a good and befitting marathon.
The traditional ruler acknowledged the challenges involved in staging the event, saying he had encouraged the committee to proceed with the marathon despite the difficulties.
“If we are to thank the organising committee, it is because this project was a bit challenging. But they wanted to do a marathon, so I said, ‘Go ahead’.
“I believe things will be better for the second edition. The first edition was tough, but by God’s grace, next year’s event will be bigger. Next year’s will be grand,” he said.
Oba Aladelusi also commended the participants, particularly the younger runners, and announced cash rewards for all participants in addition to the prize money awarded to the top 10 finishers.
In the men’s category, Segun Adekunle emerged winner, with Abiodun Adetiba finishing second and Ayomide Mohammed taking third place.
In the women’s category, Miracle Arinde won the race, followed by Happiness Idowu in second place and Gift Bako in third.
Speaking after receiving his prize money, Adekunle said he began preparing for the competition two months ago after learning about the event.
He said his training times gave him confidence that he could finish among the top three, but expressed delight at eventually winning the race.
The women’s winner, Arinde, thanked God and her coach for helping her achieve the feat, adding that her next ambition was to become a world champion.