By Ayodele Quadri, Correspondent
PORT HARCOURT, NIGERIA — Port Harcourt is preparing to welcome over 10,000 professional and amateur runners as the city transitions its flagship road race into an expanded continental event.
Marking a decade of the Port Harcourt to the World initiative, organizers have officially rebranded the former Port Harcourt City Marathon into the Port Harcourt International Marathon, broadening its scope to attract elite distance runners from across Nigeria, West Africa, and traditional distance-running strongholds in East Africa.
Expanding the Footprint & Key Event Details
Organizers revealed that the registration target of 10,000 participants doubles previous cumulative turnouts of around 5,000 runners. The 2026 edition has been themed “The Green Race,” signaling a dual focus on athletic competition and environmental sustainability.
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Target Participation: 10,000 registered runners across professional and social categories.
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Regional Reach: Elite and amateur entries from West and East African nations alongside Nigerian athletes.
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Event Theme: “The Green Race” — emphasizing sports tourism, eco-awareness, and healthy living.
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Operational Readiness: Dedicated security, medical response teams, and traffic management strategies to ensure athlete safety.
Strategic Impact & Logistics
Speaking on the elevation of the event, the organizing committee emphasized that the transition reflects Port Harcourt’s readiness to serve as a major sports tourism hub in the region.
“This transition is beyond just a name. We are proud to announce this year that we are welcoming runners not just from across Nigeria, but also from other West African countries as well as East African countries. The theme ‘The Green Race’ is symbolic of where we are taking sports tourism in Rivers State.”
— Organizing Committee Representative
Addressing potential logistical hurdles, event conveners assured participants that comprehensive measures are locked in for medical emergencies, security, and municipal traffic diversions to ensure a smooth, world-class race day experience.
