Why the marathon starts at 5.30am

Every year a few runners ask why the Ibadan City Marathon starts so early. The short answer is heat. The long answer involves two years of data from our medical team, and a decision we will not reverse.

In 2024 the marathon started at 6.30am. By 10am the temperature on Ring Road was 31 degrees with humidity near 80 percent. Our medical tents treated 212 runners for heat exhaustion, most of them between kilometres 30 and 40.

What changed

For 2025 we moved the start to 5.30am, added four water stations, and put cooling sponges at kilometres 25, 30 and 35. The temperature when most runners reached 30 km was four degrees lower.

Medical treatments for heat fell by more than half after the start moved to 5.30am.

Medical treatments for heat fell by more than half. Finish rates went up from 91 to 96 percent. Runners in the last waves, who spend longest on the course, benefited most.

What it means for you

Shuttles start at 4am from Dugbe, Challenge and Bodija. Bag drop opens at 4am. Eat a light breakfast you have tested in training, and arrive by 5am to find your wave.

The first hour is run under street lights, which most runners love. You will see the sun rise over Mokola, and you will be finished, or nearly, before the city gets hot.

We will keep the early start for as long as Ibadan has February sunshine. Which, we hope, is always.