Over 5000 Athletes set for Bonny Island Marathon

The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of the Bonny Island Marathon (BIM) has confirmed full readiness to host the 8th edition of the marathon scheduled for Saturday, December 20, 2025, as Bonny Island prepares to welcome more than 5,000 runners, tourists, and sports enthusiasts from across Nigeria and beyond.

This year’s edition, themed “Miles2Gr8ness,” represents a defining moment in the evolution of the marathon and the wider Bonny Kingdom. With a ₦5 million prize pool and gifts on offer, the event features multiple race categories, including Elite, Teens, Indigenous, Leisure, and Aged/Elderly (male and female), reinforcing its reputation as one of Nigeria’s most inclusive and community-driven sports tourism events.

A major highlight of the 2025 marathon is the recent soft opening of the Bonny–Bodo Road by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The temporary access for light vehicles has eased travel to Bonny Island during the yuletide season, reducing the long-standing dependence on river transport and opening new pathways for tourism, logistics, and economic participation.

Speaking on preparations, Race Director of the Bonny Island Marathon, Boma Halliday, said the organising team has prioritised participant welfare and operational excellence.

“Our focus this year has been on planning with precision, ensuring safety, smooth coordination, medical readiness, and a memorable experience for every runner and visitor,” Halliday said.

He added, “From route mapping and security collaboration to fitness screening and volunteer mobilization, we are fully prepared. The Bonny Island Marathon is not just a race; it’s an experience rooted in care, community, and excellence.”

Also commenting on the significance of the 2025 edition, Shedrack Owen, Marketing and Communications Business Partner to the marathon, highlighted the broader narrative and growth of the event.

“The Bonny Island Marathon tells a powerful story of resilience, place-making, and community pride,” Owen said.

He added, “With the opening of the Bonny–Bodo Road, this year’s marathon symbolizes access meeting ambition. BIM has grown into a credible national platform that blends sport, culture, wellness, and tourism, and 2025 represents a new chapter in positioning Bonny Island on the global map.”

Beyond race day, the 2025 program includes pre-event fitness tests, community engagement activities, a walkathon, health and wellness activations, and a post-race fiesta.