Ile-Ife Heritage Marathon
Ile-Ife Heritage Marathon
The Ile-Ife Heritage Marathon is an event that takes participants on a 42.195km adventure through the well laid out roads of Obafemi Awolowo University and the vibrant streets of the ancient city of Ile-Ife. This course allows you to ditch your tour guide
HIGHLIGHTS of the IHM Course By Adedayo Oyebade Akinbode Below are a few of the highlights to look out for on the course: 1. Some of the most iconic buildings in the Obafemi Awolowo University, which was established in 1962 and boasts of vast grounds, beautifully sculptured landscapes with scenic views of lush African green vegetation and flowers, which exude tropical scents. The thunderous cheers from the students should get you going at a good pace. Start Area Run up and down the steps as a form of warm up 2. The University Campus Greens. One of the first things that strikes a first time visitor to Obafemi Awolowo University is the sheer expanse of land on which the University is laid out. One cannot but marvel at the beauty of the landscape and the undulating terrain which are perfectly in sync. The green lush trees have become home to one of the largest colonies of bats in the world and often times the entire sky is covered by these creatures as they make melodious sounds and glide around. 3. Participants would be ready for a glimpse of the outskirts of Ile-Ife after completing 20km within the Obafemi Awolowo University Campus. They will head towards the other University in Ile-Ife before making a turnaround back towards the ancient city of Ile-Ife. After all, the marathon is an event to bring "gown" and "town" together Obafemi Awolowo University Gate through which runners will exit to Gown toTown Oduduwa University Gate 4. The Ife Bronze Head Statue is known as Ori Olokun. The original, which was purportedly ‘discovered’ by the famous German archaeologist Leo Frobenius in 1910, sits in the Royal British Museum.The Ori Olokun Statue at Km 38 ushers runners into Ife town after their sojourn to see the two university campuses in Ile-Ife. 5. The 42ft giant statue of Moremi, the beautiful wife of King Oranmiyan, who liberated the people of Ile Ife from Slave invaders in the 12th century is at Km 41.3. The statue stands where Moremi lived. Cultural dances to loud traditional African beats are expected here as participants get on the final stretch home. Runners in pursuit of setting Personal Best records will have to dig deep to keep running and not stop to join the African dancers. The tallest statue in Nigeria and the third tallest in Africa 6. Participants should look out for the National Museum at Km 41.5 just beside the Palace. But do not be deceived there is a detour from the palace to show more of the ancient town before the finish line. 7. Participants will run towards the round about where the symbolic King’s crown is located before heading to the Palace for a royal reception. 8. The Royal Reception at the Finish is the highlight of the race and makes the 42.195km tour worthwhile.