The godfather of road races in Nigeria, Yussuf Alli, promises a spectacle at the 2026 Okpekpe

The godfather of marathons and road races in Nigeria, Yussuf Alli, has promised a spectacle at the 2026 edition of the Okpekpe International Road Races slated for Saturday, May 30, 2026.

Alli, a former international long jumper cum sprinter, revealed that with over 50 elite athletes from across the globe expected to battle for cash and glory, the West Africa’s premier Gold Label Road Race will record many golden moments.

Alli, who is also the CEO of the NSC Elite and Podium Performance Board, revealed that organisers have been working around the clock to ensure a seamless and world-class competition.

“The runners 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.”

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 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 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, runners 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.