Aminat Adenike of Lagos State and Jonathan James of Plateau State have emerged champions in the women’s and men’s categories respectively at the second edition of the Capital City Race held on November 22, 2025 in Ikeja.
Aminat Adenike clocked 35 minutes, 43.73 seconds to clinch the women’s title and the ₦500,000 prize money, narrowly edging out Plateau State’s Blessing Shambor, who finished second in 35:55.24. Vivian Obadiah, also from Plateau State, completed the podium in 35:43.74.
In the men’s category, James dominated the 10 km race with a winning time of 31:00.04, claiming the top prize ahead of fellow Plateau runners Irmiya Dachuny (31:12.40) and Musa Bala (31:54.84).
“I am happy that I am winning this race. I thank God.”
Adenike, celebrating her maiden victory at the event, expressed delight at representing Lagos State on home soil saying:
“I believed in myself that I can compete with anybody.”
The race, which started from Ikeja City Mall and concluded at the AVMCC Field, GRA, Ikeja, attracted even more participants than last year’s maiden edition that drew over 1,000 runners.
Lagos State Sports Commission Technical Director Uthman Okunnu praised the improvement in organisation compared to the inaugural event.
Race convener Oladapo Ajayi revealed ambitious plans to expand the Capital City Race concept beyond Lagos.
He stated:
“What we want to do is that they don’t even have to come all the way to Lagos. We want to take the capital city race to them.
All the 36 states in Nigeria have their own capital cities. So, we run capital city race in Kaduna, in Asaba, all capital cities.
We did it last year for the first time, this year again it’s bigger, it’s better, more numbers. It just goes to show you that people are willing to participate, you just need to create something that they would like.
Next year again, we’ll be back in Lagos but hopefully next year, I want to do a few more states outside of Lagos so watch out. Capital City is coming to another capital city outside of Lagos.”
Okunnu also acknowledged Plateau State’s dominance, particularly in the women’s category where they claimed two of the three podium positions.
According to Okunnu:
“You really must give it to Plateau because of the altitude of where they’re coming from and at the same time, they train a lot but for Lagos, we are very proud of Aminat who was able to get us on the podium.”
The event, which received endorsement from the Lagos State Government through the Lagos State Sports Commission, was supported by Planet Bottling Company, makers of Reaktor energy drink, and the Fembol Group.
Mrs Wonuola Adedinsewo told our correspondent how she nearly gave up on her first marathon saying:
“It was a test of start and finish. I thought of giving up, but in life that isn’t me, I always or mostly pull through situations and this was one of them. I will do it again.”
