10000 athletes set for Bonny Island Marathon as registration flag off for 2025 edition

The Bonny Island Marathon (BIM) Local Organising Committee announced the official opening of registration for its highly anticipated 2025 edition, with registration set to run until the end of November 2025.

This year's event, themed "Miles2Gr8ness," promises to be a landmark occasion, coinciding with the historic opening of the Bonny-Bodo Road, which now provides land access to Bonny Island for the first time.

The 2025 vision for the marathon, scheduled for December 20 is focused on "Unlocking Access and Amplifying Impact."

The soon to be opened Bonny-Bodo road is a game-change, poised to revolutionise logistics, participation, and overall accessibility to the island.

This critical infrastructure project, connecting Bonny Island to mainland Rivers State, is expected to significantly boost the marathon experience, drawing an even larger crowd.

"The 'Miles2Gr8ness' campaign is more than a slogan, it’s a symbol of resilience, excellence, and transformation," stated the Local Organising Committee.

With over 10,000 runners expected in 2025, the marathon aims to be a vibrant convergence point for athletes, tourists, brands, and communities from across Nigeria and beyond.

Adding to the excitement, the Bonny Island Marathon has secured official endorsements and recommendations from both the Bonny Local Government Council and the Bonny Chiefs’ Council.

The Bonny Chiefs’ Council, in their statement, noted, “The Bonny Island Marathon has become a vital platform that unites the community, promotes the cultural heritage of Bonny Island, and inspires youth through the values of sportsmanship and resilience.

“With sustained support, this marathon will continue to deliver impactful benefits to Bonny Island and promote a positive image of our Kingdom.”

Similarly, the Bonny Local Government Council affirmed, “This event has successfully positioned our community as a vibrant destination for sports tourism while fostering economic activities and social development. We strongly recommend it for support from stakeholders and sponsors.”

Now entering its 8th Edition, the Bonny Island Marathon has already earned national recognition, including being awarded the ‘Emerging Sports Tourism Event’ of the year by the African Tourism Hub in 2022, attracting runners from across Nigeria and beyond.