Tayo Ogunseye
Nilayo Sports Management Limited has unveiled six major corporate partners for the 2026 Enugu City International Marathon, a move expected to boost preparations for the second edition of the international road race scheduled for Saturday, August 29.
The organisers announced **Aquafina Premium Drinking Water, Pinnacle Oil & Gas, African Pits and Quarries (APQ), Power Oil, Afia TV and Radio, and Enugu Air as official partners, bringing together leading brands across the hydration, energy, infrastructure, wellness, media and aviation sectors. The partnerships are aimed at supporting the successful delivery of the marathon as Enugu prepares to host elite athletes, recreational runners, officials, spectators and sports tourists.
Aquafina Premium Drinking Water, a brand of Seven-Up Bottling Company, has been confirmed as the Official Refreshment Partner and will provide hydration support throughout the 42-kilometre race. Hydration stations, finish-line recovery areas and runner support points will be strategically positioned along the route to ensure participants remain properly hydrated. Nilayo Sports Management Limited described the partnership as a key element in delivering a world-class marathon experience, noting that Aquafina’s commitment to healthy living aligns with the event’s focus on wellness and endurance.
Pinnacle Oil & Gas joins as the Official Energy Partner, providing support for event infrastructure, operational logistics and fan zones. According to the organisers, the company’s values of reliability, strength and resilience mirror the qualities required of marathon runners, while its involvement will help ensure smooth race-day operations. African Pits and Quarries has also come on board as an Official Corporate Partner, contributing to route preparation, event production and community engagement initiatives designed to enhance the overall impact of the marathon.
Health and wellness will also feature prominently through Power Oil, which will promote heart health and active living with wellness activations, healthy lifestyle education and engagements with runners, families and spectators during the marathon expo and race-day activities. Nilayo said the partnership reinforces the marathon’s broader objective of encouraging healthier lifestyles beyond elite competition.
Media coverage of the event will be driven by Afia TV and Radio, named as the Official Media Partner.
The broadcaster will deliver extensive pre-race programming, athlete interviews, race-day coverage and live updates across its television and radio platforms. With a strong audience across South-Eastern Nigeria, Afia TV and Radio is expected to showcase not only the competition but also the culture, people and tourism potential of Enugu State.
Enugu Air completes the lineup as the Official Airline Partner, providing travel support for elite athletes, officials, dignitaries and sports tourists attending the event. Nilayo Sports Management Limited described the partnership as an important step towards strengthening the marathon’s international profile by improving accessibility and linking sports with tourism. The organisers said the growing support from the private sector reflects increasing confidence in the Enugu City International Marathon’s potential to become one of Africa’s leading road races.
