Port Harcourt to host 10,000 marathon runners from West, East Africa

About 10,000 runners from Nigeria, other West African countries and East Africa are expected to converge on Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, for an international half-marathon covering a distance of 21 kilometres.

The organisers said the event, scheduled for November 14, 2026, marks a new phase for the marathon after a decade of hosting participants mainly from within Nigeria.

Speaking at a media briefing on Monday to officially announce the date, the Convener of the Port Harcourt International Marathon, Goodluck Azunwena, said the 2026 edition is more than a race, showcasing culture, tourism and healthy living through sports under the theme, “Green Race.”

Azunwena said, “As we celebrate a decade of purpose, we are proud to officially reopen this chapter of our journey, driven by renewed energy and an even bigger vision, beginning with the Port Harcourt International Marathon taking place on November 14.

“A world-class event that represents far more than a race. It is a platform for unity, tourism, economic growth, healthy living, youth empowerment and global visibility. Through it, we invite the world to experience the true spirit of Port Harcourt.”

He said the organisers had already secured the support of the Rivers State Government and some private partners while remaining open to additional sponsorship.

On the expected number of participants, Azunwena said previous editions attracted about 5,000 registered runners, but participation had now been expanded following increased interest from within and outside Nigeria.

“For this edition, our projection is to have at least 10,000 runners register for the race. Everything in terms of security has been put in place to ensure a hitch-free event,” he said.

In her remarks, an official of the marathon, Diri Dikibujuri, said the 10th edition had been tagged “Port Harcourt to the World.”

She said, “As we celebrate the decade of the ‘Green Race’, we are transitioning from what we used to know as the Port Harcourt City Marathon to the Port Harcourt International Marathon. We are proud to announce this year that we are welcoming runners from across Nigeria and other West African countries and East Africa.”

She explained that the theme, “Green Race,” was chosen to reflect the marathon’s renewed vision. “We all know green means life, renewal and growth. In this case, green signifies Port Harcourt as the Garden City. The word ‘race’ goes beyond athletics or sports. It signifies humanity running towards a better life, impact and sustainability,” Dikibujuri said.

She continued, “Together, Green Race is about taking Port Harcourt to the world by building an initiative that delivers multidimensional impact.

“We are bringing together sports, culture, sustainability, education, empowerment, environmental advocacy and youth development under one umbrella. We have activities before the race, on race day and after the race, all aligned with Sustainable Development Goals 3, 11 and 13 because it is an international race.

“We are engaging the entire Port Harcourt community in moving towards a greener city. In the end, we are not just taking Port Harcourt to the world; we are bringing the garden back to the city.”