This event is now virtual only

Ile-Ife Heritage Marathon

4.6 (41 Reviews)
Anywhere
31 Jan, 2021 (Sun)
Event size: 100 - 999 participants (Max 150 participants)

Running

42.195 km

About the event

The Ile-Ife Heritage Marathon is an event that takes participants on a 42.195-kilometre (26.2 miles) adventure trip through 34km of the well laid out roads of the Obafemi Awolowo University, a 3km trail on same campus, and 5km of the vibrant streets of the ancient city of Ile-Ife which takes runners to the Palace of the Ooni of Ife.

The marathon course allows the participants to ditch tour guides and experience several of Ile-Ife’s main attractions on foot. Places of interest along the route include home of a large colony of bats, the charming roads of the university laced with trees giving the impression of a jungle in the city, the scenic 2.5km University Road 1, the Wole Soyinka Museum, the Statue of the world famous Bronze Head, the Moremi Statue and the beautiful downtown core of Ile-Ife.

The Ile-Ife Heritage Marathon has quickly gained a reputation for being hilly and beautiful. The students of the University town usually come out in their droves to cheer on the participants from the sidelines.

Add the Ile-Ife Heritage Marathon to your must-do list, after all, when was the last time you ran to the finish line for a royal reception?

Registration for the 4th Edition has commenced early at www.fogadventures.com this year due to popular demands and will close on January 15, 2021 or once we achieve the 150 participants ceiling.

Races offered by this event

Ile-Ife Heritage Marathon

Virtual race
Anywhere
31 Jan, 2021 (Sun) - 05:45
Running
42.195 km
396 m of elevation gain
Race size: 100 - 249 participants
The course of this marathon has been deliberately designed to read like a must-see list of Ife's most alluring attractions!

Ditch your travel guide and let your fellow runners be your town guides.

Runners will set out for the 42.195km tour of Ancient Ife from the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), and end at a Royal Medal Reception in the Palace of the King of Ile Ife who is traditionally called the Ooni.

The race which is an attempt to bring “Gown” and “Town” together starts from the Motion Grounds of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. The first Kilometer is downhill Road 2 before making a right turn to winding Road 7 leading out of the University Campus to the University Teaching Hospital Complex. A total of 7km is run in the beautiful complex before heading back to Road 2 and heading towards the University Vice-Chancellor’s lodge. Runners will run in the Staff Housing Quarters passing by the former house of the Nobel Laureate Prof Wole Soyinka before making a turn around that takes them to the Academic area of the school at Km 14. Runners will then head towards the main Gate leading them outside of the University premises.
Having run 20km on the University premises, runners turn right at the main gate and join the Ife/Ibadan Expressway. The long undulating stretch takes runners away from Ile-Ife towards Ibadan until they make a turnaround at Km 28, the main gate of the Oduduwa University, Ile-Ife and start heading back to town. The stretch back to town will have runners running by the famous Bronze Head Statue, running in the bustling downtown Ile-Ife, running in the most ancient parts of the city, running by the Moremi Statue before heading to the Enu-Owa Palace grounds for a royal reception by the Ooni of Ile-Ife.
Solo
Virtual
Rolling
Point to point

Reviews

4.6
41 Reviews
5
4
3
2
1
Write a review
user avatar
Titobi Oshinyimika
Country flag of NG
Feb 2024
42.195 km

The weather was an highlight, so cool and clean. Followed by the early start and then the massage at the end was so relieving.

user avatar
Idowu Omotayo Ridwan
Country flag of NG
Feb 2024
42.195 km

I had fun, weirdly it was most people fasted run. The weather was great. The route was a bit hilly but wonderful. My only issue was race photography, it seems people who ran faster were not photographed and that only people who ran slow and ran the half-marathon got the best of the photography. The aid stations were good. Security was good. I would run it anytime.

HILLS HILLS HILLS

user avatar
Samuel Egbuson
Country flag of NG
Feb 2024
42.195 km

The fact that the organiser is a runner showed forth. The OAU is a beautiful university. Quite rustic and this years route avoided the hustle and bustle of the town as the race terminated @ Ife Grand resort.

The 26.2 mile distance is beautiful. I can definitely do this again and again.

user avatar
Moyinoluwa Afolabi
Feb 2024
21.098 km

Great route on Obafemi Awolowo University campus, cheerful crowd, more than enough to replenish after the marathon and good medical teams

user avatar
JAMES OTOKWALA
Country flag of NG
Feb 2024
42.195 km

The 2024 Ife Marathon was well organized with lots of support from Man O War, Road Safety and other volunteers. The hills and mountains are typical challenges like real life that one has to overcome. I hope to do better in the next edition and I highly recommend to the running community.

Wow, it was a very challenging one because of the many hills and mountains to climb but in all it was really worth it. I look forward to the next edition

user avatar
Precious Abioye
Feb 2024
21.098 km

It was a great experience I would never forget, I had a nice time running again after a long break. I love everything about it, the organizers did a great job. Kudos to them 👏

That was my first time going for half marathon, the highest I had ever gone for was 7km. At first it was looking like it wasn't going to end again 😭 😂. I was glad I finished because I trained just twice, the training wasn't even up to 10km but then I made it 😭🥳

user avatar
Samuel OYEWOLE
Feb 2024
5 km

We enjoyed ourselves. We shall come next year; keep us informed please.

Excellent route

user avatar
Gabriel Adesoyin
Feb 2024
42.195 km

Sweet route with decent accommodation, and superb organizing. Looking forward to the next installment

Grueling but worth it

user avatar
Adedayo Bamisaye
Feb 2024
42.195 km

It was an interesting experience. I met a lot a cool people and I was able to test my limits. I can't wait for the next edition.

user avatar
Chinenye Iwuji
Country flag of NG
Feb 2024
10 km

Lovely route in lovely location. Great hydration support. Nice atmosphere and community vibe. Loved the parade with the final runner - very touching! However, the accommodation was extremely disappointing. In the future this accommodation must not be recommended. Also disappointing that there was no acknowledgment of the podium finishers - particularly for the full and half marathon.

user avatar
Mercy Markus
Country flag of NG
Feb 2024
42.195 km

This is my second in-person Ile-Ife Heritage Marathon and my first time running the marathon distance. Some of the best parts about the marathon were; the community of vibrant supporters and runners, location, weather, 90% of the route and the event organization. The cultural dancers were also a fave and it was nice to see runners stopping to dance. The last 10% of the route was through a busy road and I didn't enjoy that as much. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the event and can't wait for next year's edition.

For folks who opt for the full marathon distance, enjoy the rolling hills! 😁

user avatar
MARCEL EZEOKE
Country flag of NG
Feb 2024
42.195 km

Beautiful scenic run within the University campus .

I enjoyed the race . Lovely environment within the Ife campus . The 4Km to the finish line at the Hotel was not so good . It is actually dangerous to run on the express way. Will suggest you start and finish the race within the University grounds .

user avatar
Olabowale Olosunde
Country flag of NG
Feb 2024
42.195 km

I enjoyed nature at it's best, weather so cool and the organizers did a great job. It was my best marathon race ever. At a point, I asked myself, am I still in Nigeria? I love Ile-Ife Heritage Race, the encouragement on the road was overwhelming. Fruits and drinks to keep the body energize and hydrated were taken care of.

It was fun and challenging. Will love to do this again.

user avatar
Adeniji Paul
Feb 2024
10 km

This marathon is a great one to remember despite it being my first ever marathon, am so happy that I took that decision to participate because all the staff were amazing, the security was top notch the resources are excellent In all you're all amazing and I really appreciate your efforts in making this a success and great experience for everyone... can't wait to participate in the next one

I felt it's more of a challenge

user avatar
David Ajilore
Feb 2024
21.098 km

I had a great experience running the Ile-Ife Heritage Marathon. It was my first time though and it wasn't easy but I was determined to finish the race. The Marathon was well organized. I passed routes that I have never seen before. Whenever I came in contact with another runner we motivated each other. I must say this is the best sports event I have participated in years. I will participate in the next one, no doubt!

Tough for me but I finished it. The distance was worth it. 21.1km was more than okay. I'll choose it again next time.

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