Abuja Half Marathon Organisers Unveil Heat Safety Measures Ahead of November Race
Organisers of the PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon have assured participants of adequate safety measures ahead of the race, with special attention to the health risks associated with extreme heat.
The assurance was given by Emmanuel Odey, Project Manager at Nilayo Sports Management Limited, the company organising the event, in a video message released on Thursday.
Odey warned that rising temperatures could expose athletes to dehydration and potentially life-threatening heatstroke, urging participants to prepare adequately, stay hydrated and regulate their pace during training and the competition.
He also raised concerns about the possible effects of El Niño, a climate phenomenon associated with changes in weather patterns and increased heat risks in some regions.
As part of the race-day precautions, Odey said organisers would provide chilled drinking water at every 2.5 kilometres along the route. A cold-water bath would also be available at the finish area to help runners cool down after completing the race.
He advised athletes to listen to their bodies and take heat-related symptoms seriously, stressing that proper preparation and hydration would be essential to their safety.
The third edition of the PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon is scheduled for Saturday, November 14, 2026. The 21-kilometre race will begin at the Old Parade Ground, opposite the Fire Station, at 6:30 a.m., with the finish line at the Velodrome of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
The event is organised by Nilayo Sports Management Limited, with PremiumTrust Bank as its sponsor, and is expected to attract local and international athletes.
Beyond the competition, the marathon is designed to promote physical fitness, healthy living and sports tourism in the Federal Capital Territory.
The organisers’ latest announcement places athlete welfare at the centre of preparations, as runners are encouraged to prioritise their health while competing.
