600 Runners For 2023 Uluuton Mini-marathon

By Sedara Philip

About 600 athletes are set to participate in the Fifth edition of the Uluuton mini-marathon, scheduled to take place Saturday, 30th December, 2023 in Ilutitun-Osooro, Okitipupa local government area of Ondo state

The race Director Dr Funmi Fakuyi, said this at a news conference on Friday in Ilutitun-osooro. Fakuyi said the marathon is being organised by Ilutitun Youth Development Forum

Athletes expected at the event include those within Ondo state and Outside the state, Dr Fakuyi said the idea to organise the marathon was borne out of the need to celebrate sons and daughters of Ilutitun-Osooro especially during Christmas and New year festivities.

“The idea to organise this annual event go beyond the health benefits of sports but to celebrate ourselves yearly ,” he said.

He said that the idea started a few years back before the COVID-19 in conjunction with some critical stakeholders.

“The first edition was held in 2018 an attempt to hold it in 2020 could not materialize because of the COVID,” Dr Fakuyi added.

The Director said that the prize money

for this year’s edition has been increased while medals would be given to the first three winners at both male and female categories.

Dr Fakuyi also said that the first three winners at both categories would get a certificate of participation.

He said that the race would start by 6am in which the starting and finishing points would be at Oja ale in Ilutitun . On the payment of prize money to athletes, Dr Fakuyi assured that it would be paid immediately after the event.

The presidential Flag bearer of African action Congress Omoyele Sowore, chairman house committee on tertiary education of Ondo state house of assembly , Honourable Chris Ayebusiwa with other prominent Nigerians are expected at the event today

The maiden edition was held on December 29th, 2019, with about 300 participants in attendance.