No fewer than 10, 000 athletes will participate in the Abuja marathon race slated for October 30 as part of activities to mark the Golden Jubilee anniversary of Nigeria's Independence.

Disclosing this at a media parley in Abuja, organizers of the event said top-ranked athletes across the globe have been contacted for the 21 kilometre race that would see the winner in the male and female categories taking home N1 million each.

Patron and Official Face Symbol of the race, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, who spoke to reporters on behalf of the organizers, explained that the event which is being packaged by Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Africa Business Round Table, Connect Messenger Services Limited and Africa Independent Television (AIT), is aimed at promoting peaceful co-existence and alleviating poverty.

Aside from the top prizes to be won, Tukur said attractive prizes will also be available for lucky winners in the raffle draw that will be conducted live on television.

World class athletes currently being contacted for the Abuja marathon are Moses Mosop of Kenya, Tikaliu Regassi of Ethiopia, Mohammed Tressah of USA and Kenya's duo of Sammy Kirop and Titus Massai in the men's category; while Dena Kester of USA, Dire Tune of Ethiopia, Kim Berley of New Zealand and Mary Dekpose of Kenya are the women marathoners expected to feature at the one-day event.

Tukur, who called on Abuja residents to come out enmasse and participate in the race, assured that organized have put in place adequate measures to take care of security, medical and free movement of athletes.