The 10km Igue Festival Marathon Race is to hold on December 21 in Benin City, according to Mr Olu Amadasun, the Coordinator of the annual event.
Amadasun told reporters on Thursday in Benin that the 2013 race, which is the second in the series, was open to every Nigerian.
He said the introduction of the race into the ancient festival was a deliberate attempt to mix sports with culture.
Amadasun said that the event was introduced to get youths, especially those resident in Benin, to be fully involved in the annual cultural festival.
The Igue Festival is an annual festival in the Benin Kingdom, in remembrance of its ancestors. The fiesta lasts for two weeks.
Amadasun, a former president of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), and former board member of the Nigeria Football Association, said the race would attract cash rewards.
According to him, before the 10km race, there will be a mini-race only for the Benin chiefs and prominent citizens within the Palace of the Oba of Benin Kingdom.
“We are going to use the race to showcase the good road network in Benin City,” Amadasun said.
The former NFA board member added that plans were on to make the festival an international event.