The registration process for interested participants in the maiden edition of the MASA Isonyin Marathon (MIM) has officially commenced ahead of the April 16, 2022 race billed for the Ijebu-North East area of Ogun State.
MIM is the latest addition to the growing calendar of races across the country; especially Ogun State which is fast becoming the hub of road races in Nigeria.
According to the organizers, MASA Isonyin Marathon is a youth development programme designed to discover and develop local talents, especially in Ijebu North East Local Government and Ogun State in general with the view of exposing them to the national and international sports arena.
Isonyin – land of honey” and venue of the 21km race, is a source of inspiration to many people across the globe.
“This event is planned to be an annual one, as a means of giving back to the community, promoting Isonyin, and providing the enabling environment for cordial interactions and entertainment,” said Media Director and Event Manager, Yeye Adesola Salami on Thursday.
To encourage mass participation, forms for the race have been declared free and can either be obtained online through the race website – masaisonyinmarathon.com or at the Isonyin Central Business District, Isonyin Ijebu North East local government.
More than N500,000 will be shared between the top three finishers in the male and female categories aside from other consolation prices already in place.
The 21km race will be flagged off at the Saderiren’s Palace while the finishing point will be at the Isonyin Grammar School field.
The Concepteur and MD for the race, Dr Muideen Adegboyega Salami (PhD) as well as the Finance Director & Event Coordinator, Ahmed Adeoye Salami have both assured of a well-organised race for all the intending participants.
“To also aid our planning, we would be closing the registration process on April 9 – one week before the race,” he added.
MASA Isonyin Marathon: Organizers extend registration deadline, get royal blessings.
Ahead of the maiden edition of the MASA Isonyin Marathon (MIM) billed to take place this Saturday, April 16, 2022 organisers have extended the registration deadline to allow for more interested participants to be part of the historic event.
Media Director and Event Manager, Yeye Adesola Salami while confirming the extension of the registration deadline said the organisers have mapped out new strategies to accommodate over 1,000 runners for the first of its kind 21km race in the Ijebu-North East area of Ogun State.
She said the increased interest shown by the local runners and others outside of Ogun State necessitated the extension of the registration deadline date initially fixed for April 9.
“We have shifted the registration deadline now till Friday, April 15 when the accreditation for all the participants will be done. I must tell you, the response has been encouraging and everyone is excited about Isonyin joining the marathon family in Nigeria” she stated.
In a related development, HRH, Oba Abdulrasheed Omotayo Cossy Salami, the Saderiren of Isonyin, Ilufemiloye 1 has given his full blessings for the MASA Isonyin Marathon.
The Monarch described the MIM initiative as a well-thought one that would not only put Isonyin – the land of honey on the global sporting map but also positively engage and empower the youth in and around the area.
More than N750,000 will be shared between the top three finishers in the male and female categories aside from other consolation prices already in place.
The 21km race will be flagged off 7.00 am on Saturday at the Saderiren’s Palace while the finishing point will be at the Isonyin Grammar School field.
Isonyin is a small town in Ogun State, Nigeria located about 10 kilometers from Ijebu Ode. Administratively, it is part of the Ijebu North-East Local Government Area.
Its inhabitants speak the Ijebu dialect of the Yoruba language. The Oba of Isonyin is addressed as the Saderiren of Isonyin. The immediate past Oba was Oba Funso Omo-Ogunkoya, who died in 2015. His predecessor, the first king of Isonyin, Oba Amos Kolawole Agbolade Ogunnuga, died in 2002. The reigning King is Oba Abdul Rasheed Omotayo Cossy Salami, Ilufemiloye 1, Saderiren of Isonyin who ascended the throne in November 2016.
Schools in Isonyin
Schools exist in Isonyin, such as the Emmanuel Primary School, an elementary school founded by the earliest missionaries who also founded the town’s first church, Emmanuel Anglican Church.[1] It is a town known for its emphasis and strict commitment to education. In the past, its privately managed boarding schools attracted school children from all over the South West of Nigeria to attend the famous Emmanuel School Isonyin and Isonyin Grammar School. And Famous Eredo Moslem primary school established through the effort of the Muslim community of Isonyin, Odoregbe and Odosenlu . The current Imam of Isonyin is Imam Kehinde Hossein Akeusola.
Some of the eminent sons of Isonyin include Emeritus Professor V. A. Oyenuga, who was the first black African to obtain Ph. D and D. Sc. degrees in Agricultural Sciences. Sophie Odunlami of the Faith Tabernacle era of praying groups that metamorphosed into the (Christ) Apostolic Church in Nigeria. Olori Matilda Alaba Adesanya, first wife of then Awujale of Ijebu Land, Oba Daniel Robertson Adesanya, and mother of Late Prince Justice L.E.V. Adesanya.
MASA Isonyin Marathon
In April, 2022, the town hosted the first edition of the MASA Isonyin Marathon, a 21 kilometer race through the town and surrounding villages in the Ijebu-North East Local Government Area.[2] Notable participants in the rate include John Muiruri[3] from Kenya who came second with a time of 1:12:39 and Shehu Muazu ‘Shagari’ a Plateau State-born athlete who won the race with a time of 1:10:52.[4]