On Saturday, November 14, 2026, the capital will stage the third edition of the PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon, an event that started in 2024 and has quickly become one of the most popular dates on Nigeria’s road racing calendar.
The race is put together by Nilayo Sports Management Limited, with PremiumTrust Bank as sole sponsor, and it holds the status of a World Athletics Label Road Race. That status tells elite athletes across the world that Abuja is serious, that the timing can be trusted, and that a fast time here truly counts.
This race is not meant for a small group alone. It is for the elite athlete chasing prize money, the club runner chasing a personal best, the corporate team chasing bragging rights, and the first timer who simply wants to be able to say that he finished 21.1km in Abuja.
What makes this event stand out is how it turns the whole of Abuja into one large stadium. The start is at the Old Parade Ground on Mohammed Buhari Way, directly opposite the Federal Fire Service. The gun goes off at 6:30 a.m., and from that moment the city opens up.
Spectators will also have their own share of the excitement. Organisers have planned entertainment zones for families and fans along the course, so the cheers will follow the runners from the start to the finish.
The winner will go home with $8,000. The runner up will earn $6,000, while the third place finisher will receive $5,000. There are also rewards in the Nigerian category, set up to celebrate home based athletes and give them a platform to measure themselves against international opposition.
Yetunde Olopade, Managing Director and CEO of Nilayo Sports Management Limited, believes this edition will raise the standard again and show the world what Abuja can deliver.
Abuja in November can be warm, and the organisers are taking that seriously. Emmanuel Odey, Project Manager at Nilayo Sports Management Limited, has advised athletes to prepare well for the heat and to pay attention to their bodies on race day.
Chilled water will be available at every 2.5 kilometre point along the route. At the finish, runners will find a cold water bath to help them cool down and recover. Medical teams, security personnel and route officials will also be on ground to keep the race safe and smooth.
