The ancient city of Ile Ife, revered as the cradle of civilization, will host the first ever Olojo Festival 5km Road Race on Thursday, drawing the best of Nigeria’s distance running talents. The race is part of the iconic Olojo Festival, a celebration of creation, renewal, and the spiritual authority of Ile Ife in Yoruba cosmology. On the women’s side, Blessing Shambor Solomon, winner of Nigeria’s inaugural cross country race in 2023, is set to challenge for the Olojo 5km crown. Solomon holds a 5000m best of 17:16.35 and clocked 2:55:10 in the marathon at this year’s Lagos Marathon. Race Director, Chief Tony Osheku, believes the presence of Nigerian elite athletes at the Olojo 5km road race will serve as motivation for local athletes based in and around Ile Ife.