Dr. Savy

Medical Doctor 🩺// Violinist 🎻🎶//Poet📝// A Catholic 💯

[Dr. Savy @savy_dr8708]

At last, a breath of fresh air, a sigh of relief.
Dreams, really do come true.
I am in the midst of what I once prayed for, God's deeds.
The future I was longing for, God did.

Permit me to reintroduce myself;
DR. AKPAN, SAVIOUR ANTHONY
(MBBS. UYO)

[IkogosiMarathon @ikogosimarathon]

2026 IKOGOSI RACE ATTRACTS OVER 8,000 PARTICIPANTS, BOOSTS TOURISM AND LOCAL ECONOMIC ACTIVITY IN EKITI STATE

The Ikogosi Marathon Initiative has reported significant economic activity across host communities in Ekiti State following the fourth edition of the Ikogosi 17.5km Race, held on Saturday, 31 October 2026. The event recorded approximately 13,700 registrations and attracted more than 8,000 participants from 28 Nigerian states and three other African countries — Ghana, Kenya and Ethiopia.

Beyond athletic competition, the race contributed to local economic development through increased demand for accommodation, agricultural produce, transportation, event services and locally manufactured goods, while creating paid employment opportunities for residents.

Hotels monitored by the Initiative in Ilawe-Ekiti and Ikogosi-Ekiti recorded full occupancy during race weekend. Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort, which hosted the finish-line activities, and six preferred hotels in Ado-Ekiti also reported full bookings. The influx of athletes, officials and visitors generated additional commercial activity for hospitality businesses, transport operators, food vendors and other service providers.

The Initiative engaged 200 paid volunteers and contracted local businesses for logistics, event production, photography, videography and digital content creation. Ekiti-based vendors produced 8,000 running vests and 8,000 numbered race bibs, while local farmers supplied oranges, watermelons and bananas to support refreshments for approximately 8,000 participants. Food and beverage vendors also operated along the race route, creating additional opportunities for small businesses.

The event supported cultural and creative enterprise, with indigenous artists performing at the finish line and showcasing Ekiti's entertainment talent to visitors from across Nigeria and beyond.

The Initiative currently employs 10 permanent office staff and provides accommodation for 12 members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), reflecting its continuing investment in youth engagement and local capacity development beyond race day.

To support the event's operations and participant welfare, the Initiative engaged 100 medical practitioners, alongside the Nigeria Police Force for security, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Ekiti State Traffic Management Agency (EKSMA) for traffic management and road diversions.

The race featured a total prize purse of ₦30 million, including cash awards to 40 Ekiti indigene athletes across the men's and women's categories. Prizes were extended to the top 20 finishers in each category, with the male and female winners receiving ₦2 million each.

@mkdAraoye , Founder of the Ikogosi Marathon Initiative, said:
“When we established the Ikogosi Race in 2014, our vision extended beyond athletics. We wanted to create a sporting platform that would attract visitors, promote Ekiti's tourism potential and generate meaningful economic opportunities for our communities.
“Every hotel room booked, every local supplier contracted, every farmer engaged and every young person employed represents the wider economic value of this initiative. Our ambition is to build an internationally recognised sporting event that contributes to the economic development of Ekiti State year after year.”

The Initiative acknowledged operational challenges arising from the unprecedented turnout, including difficulties with starting-line infrastructure, water distribution and finisher medal collection. Medical assistance was provided to injured participants, while arrangements are ongoing to distribute outstanding medals to verified finishers. The Initiative is reviewing its operational procedures to strengthen participant safety, hydration, crowd management and event infrastructure ahead of the next edition.

Since its establishment in 2014, the Ikogosi Marathon Initiative has invested approximately ₦550 million in organising its sporting events, with funding provided exclusively by the @mkdAraoye Foundation.

The Initiative expressed appreciation to Ekiti State Governor, His Excellency @biodunaoyebanji , for his support and for fostering an enabling environment for sports tourism and private-sector-led development. It also acknowledged the contributions of traditional institutions, host communities, security agencies, medical personnel, volunteers, local businesses and other stakeholders.

Looking ahead to its planned 2027 international Marathon, the Initiative is seeking stronger institutional support from the Ekiti State Government and inviting corporate organisations operating within and outside Ekiti State to participate through their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes.

The Initiative believes that sustained public-private partnerships can help expand youth athletics development, strengthen local supply chains, create additional employment opportunities and position Ekiti State as a destination for international sporting events.

Through continued investment in sports tourism, the Ikogosi Marathon Initiative aims to establish the race as an annual economic development platform that delivers measurable benefits to athletes, businesses and host communities.

ABOUT THE IKOGOSI MARATHON INITIATIVE
Founded in 2014, the Ikogosi Marathon Initiative is an independent sporting organisation committed to promoting athletics, youth development, sports tourism and community economic development in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Its long-term ambition is to establish an internationally recognised marathon that attracts global participation while creating sustainable economic opportunities for local communities.

MEDIA AND PARTNERSHIP ENQUIRIES
Ikogosi Marathon Initiative
Email: [email protected]
WhatsApp: [phone]

[Dr. Savy @savy_dr8708]

@Small_tes Is Okay😂😂
No wahala 😂😂
We will be waiting for that particular tweet🤔

[Sage of the Six Paths @DrJohnAfam]

Senator F Fayudile, a past NMA president speaks on the Senate Bill.

[The Son of God @Godson_Whyte]

In case you’re wondering what happened at km 10?

[Dr. Savy @savy_dr8708]

@tinugrills A trial will convince you 🤔🤔

[Dr. Savy @savy_dr8708]

@tinugrills I hope you know what you are praying for because I am about to say Amen to your gracious prayers,😂😂

[chinels @_chinels]

During the run yesterday, at almost 4km left, I saw this man with a bad muscle strain. He was in so much pains and I stopped for a long while to cater to him.
In that moment, I forgot about PB, I just didn’t want to leave a fellow runner in distress.

[Dr. Savy @savy_dr8708]

@_chinels Well done 💯
That is the spirit of sportsmanship 👏👏

[Dr. Savy @savy_dr8708]

@Amogbonjaiye1 Well done 💯💯

[Dr. Savy @savy_dr8708]

@99delz @ikogosimarathon Thank you very much
That crowd was massive
Well done, Boss

[Dr. Savy @savy_dr8708]

Ikogosi 17.5Km Marathon 2026
I did it for the Culture 🔥
I did it for Sport💯
I did it for fun🔥
#ikogosimarathon
#trending
@ikogosimarathon

[IkogosiMarathon @ikogosimarathon]

UPDATE ON FINISHER MEDALS — 2026 IKOGOSI 17.5KM RACE

To runners who completed the race but left without their finisher medals, we sincerely apologise.

Medal distribution was suspended when overcrowding at the collection point created safety concerns. We understand your disappointment after the effort you put into completing the race, and we acknowledge that the distribution process should have been better managed.

Additional medals are available at our office.

All finishers who did not receive their medals, both within and outside Ekiti State, should please send a WhatsApp message to 09060002295 with their:

• First name
• Last name
• BIB number
• Current location

Our team will verify your details and contact you with collection arrangements. For runners outside Ekiti State, we will make efforts to waybill your medals to you.

Please contact us before visiting the office so we can coordinate collection and avoid further overcrowding.

Your effort deserves recognition, and we are committed to resolving this. Thank you for your patience and for being part of the 2026 Ikogosi 17.5km Race.

Ikogosi Marathon Initiative

[Dr. Savy @savy_dr8708]

@og_bertha @ikogosimarathon Thank you very much

[Dr. Savy @savy_dr8708]

@Small_tes @ikogosimarathon Thank you very much 🙏

[Dr. Savy @savy_dr8708]

@_chinels Congratulations 👏

[Dr. Savy @savy_dr8708]

@anyiwoorth @ikogosimarathon Thank you very much 🙏

[Dr. Savy @savy_dr8708]

@Cargs_ojisan @ikogosimarathon Yeah, those hills mad kan
At least, it was worth it

[Dr. Savy @savy_dr8708]

@rael_moses @ikogosimarathon Omor
dem run una street today
Sorry man

[Dr. Savy @savy_dr8708]

@m_jay_20 So Sorry 🤔

[Idris Animasaun @idrisanimasaun1]

Finish line na water 👌

[Dr. Savy @savy_dr8708]

@SuccessTruth98 @ikogosimarathon My Chief🙌