Gender Equality Nigeria Project #61515

BEING A MAN -ANNUAL MARATHON RELAY FOR MEN & BOYS

by BOYS MENTORING ADVOCACY NETWORK

BEING A MAN -ANNUAL MARATHON RELAY FOR MEN & BOYS

Project Report | Jun 9, 2026
BAM MARATHON RELAY: RUNNING THE RACE OF MANHOOD

By Ola Akinwe | Project Leader

Dear Valued Donors and Partners,

The transition from boyhood to manhood is not an overnight event; it is a long-distance journey that requires endurance, guidance, and a supportive community. The "Being A Man" (BAM) Annual Marathon Relay was founded to serve as both a literal and metaphorical rite of passage, demonstrating to our young men that character, teamwork, and resilience are built step-by-step.

This past quarter, our strategic focus was on laying the foundational bricks that make this race meaningful. Before a young man can run the marathon, he must understand the values that sustain him on the track. We have successfully completed the groundwork through our targeted workshops and intensive cohorts, directly preparing our "Young Lions" for the flagship relay event later this year. Thank you for your continued investment in this vital machinery of transformation.

The Strategic Pathway: From Classroom to Track

The BAM Marathon Relay is not just a sports event; it is the ultimate field test of an intentional mentoring pipeline. To ensure every participant runs with purpose, our project follows a rigorous preparatory timeline:

1. The "Being A Man" Workshop

This quarter, we dedicated significant energy to perfecting and executing our foundational workshops. These high-impact, focused sessions serve as the initial entry point for participants, introducing them to the core concepts of authentic masculinity, emotional intelligence, and accountability.

2. The "Being A Man" 8-Week Cohort

Following the workshops, selected boys matriculated into our intensive 8-week mentoring cohort. This curriculum provides a deeper dive into Foundation — Who You Are and How You Got Here, The Little Brother Code, The Father Question, The Maturity Wheel, The Four P's of Manhood, Judgment & Adulthood, Healthy Masculinity vs Toxic Patterns, Your Circle & Your Feelings, Becoming a Mentor. Over eight weeks, mentors work closely with small groups of boys to break down destructive behavioral patterns and instill the core values of endurance and self-reliance.

3. The Flagship Marathon Relay

The successful completion of the workshops and the 8-week cohort directly feeds into our annual centerpiece—the Marathon Relay Race. The relay format is intentionally chosen to teach the boys that no man stands alone; they must learn to pass the baton, trust their teammates, and draw strength from the community.

Quarterly Achievement: System Perfection

We are proud to report that this quarter achieved its core objective: perfecting the delivery of both the BAM Workshop and the 8-Week Cohort.

By refining our curriculum modules and monitoring student outcomes, we have ensured that our baseline mentoring structure is operating at peak performance. The boys currently graduating from these cohorts have transitioned from passive observers into active, goal-oriented young men who are physically and mentally prepared for the next big milestone.

The Road to Q4 2026: Preparing for Greatness

With the preparatory phases successfully locked in, BMAN is shifting its full operational energy toward the grand finale.

The Timeline: We are actively planning and getting ready for the great BAM Annual Marathon Relay event, safely projected for the final quarter of 2026.
The Scale: This upcoming event aims to bring together hundreds of men and boys, community leaders, and institutional stakeholders in a massive, public celebration of positive rites of passage.
Current Preparations: Our immediate tasks involve securing track logistics, coordinating with route safety officials, branding marathon gear, and setting up community invitations.

Thank You for Empowering Our Journey

Your financial support is the fuel that allows us to host these workshops, print cohort journals, and mobilize the mentors who walk alongside these boys. By investing in the BAM Marathon pipeline, you are helping us create a visible, lasting culture of mentorship that steers young men away from violence and toward purposeful leadership.

Thank you for running this race with us. We look forward to seeing the fruits of your generosity on the track in Q4 2026.

With deep respect and gratitude,

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Feb 4, 2026
PASSING THE TORCH: THE BEING A MAN MARATHON RELAY

By Ola Akinwe | Project Leader

Dear Valued Partners and Supporters,

The journey from boyhood to manhood is not a sprint; it is a marathon that requires endurance, guidance, and the support of a community. Our Being A Man (BAM) Annual Marathon Relay was founded on this very principle. We believe that by bringing men and boys together in a literal and metaphorical race, we can celebrate the vital rituals of passage that define healthy masculinity.

This past quarter has been a landmark period for the organizational foundation of this project. We have successfully navigated the complexities of state regulations to ensure that our mission is backed by the highest level of official recognition. With this foundation laid, we are now poised to host our most significant event to date.

The Purpose: Rituals of Passage & Teamwork

The BAM Marathon Relay is designed to create a meaningful, supportive environment where the transition from boyhood to manhood is honored. We use the relay race format to emphasize:

Endurance: Teaching young men that character is built through persistence and the ability to stay the course.
Teamwork: Demonstrating that a man’s strength is magnified when he works in harmony with his brothers and mentors.
Community Spirit: Bridging the generational gap by allowing boys to see and model the positive behaviors of the men in their community.

Quarterly Achievement: The Lagos State Milestone

The primary focus of the last quarter was the administrative perfection of our operational framework. We are proud to announce that we have secured final approval for our operational license with the Lagos State Government.

Why this is significant:

Credibility: This license validates the BAM Marathon as a recognized state-standard event.
Safety & Logistics: It allows us to work more closely with state security and traffic management agencies to ensure a world-class experience for all participants.
Partnership Potential: With official state backing, we are now in a prime position to attract major institutional partners and corporate sponsors who share our vision for youth development.

The Year Ahead: A Huge Celebration of Men and Boys

With our license in hand, we are shifting all energy toward the upcoming Annual Marathon Relay. This year’s event is designed to be a "huge" milestone that will:

Expand Participation: Invite more schools, community groups, and fatherhood initiatives than ever before.
Foster Institutional Partnerships: We are actively engaging with organizations that can provide scholarships, career mentorship, and health resources to our participants.
Celebrate Healthy Masculinity: Creating a high-visibility platform that highlights the positive impact of men and boys in Lagos and beyond.

Thank You for Standing with Us

Your support has given us the "wind at our back" needed to navigate the licensing process. As we prepare for the starting gun of this year's event, we invite you to continue your partnership. Together, we are not just running a race; we are helping a generation of boys find their stride as they become men.

With sincere gratitude,

Boys Mentoring Advocacy Network (BMAN)

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Oct 7, 2025
BEING A MAN - ANNUAL MARATHON RELAY FOR MEN & BOYS

By Ola Akinwe | Project Leader

Dear Esteemed Donors,

The journey from boyhood to manhood is one of life's most important relays. For the past two years, with your incredible support, we have created a space for this journey to be celebrated, supported, and honoured. The "Being A Man" Annual Marathon Relay is more than a race; it's a moving, breathing symbol of community, endurance, and the powerful bond between generations of men.

As we look towards our third annual event, we are filled with excitement for the lives we can impact. This quarter has been dedicated to laying the groundwork for another successful marathon. However, in the spirit of transparency that defines our partnership, we must also share that we are at a critical juncture. Our preparations have begun, but we face a significant funding challenge to bring this vision to life.

We believe in this mission, and we know you do too. Thank you for taking the time to read this update and for considering how you can help us reach the finish line.

The Vision: More Than a Race

The purpose of the BEING A MAN - ANNUAL MARATHON RELAY is to create a meaningful, supportive environment where men and boys can explore and celebrate the rituals of passage from boyhood to manhood. We use the Marathon Relay Race as both a literal and metaphorical journey, emphasizing endurance, teamwork, and the spirit of community that carries us through life's greatest challenges.

Progress This Quarter: Laying the Groundwork

While navigating funding uncertainties, our team has been diligently working to ensure we are prepared. Our progress this quarter includes:

Securing Tentative Dates: We have provisionally scheduled the Third Annual Marathon Relay for Friday, November 21st, and Saturday, November 22nd, 2025.
Initial Event Planning: We have begun developing a safety and logistics plan, and creating a framework for volunteer coordination.
Community Outreach: We have started initial conversations with past community partners and volunteers to gauge interest and support for this year's event.

The passion and the plan are in place, ready to be activated.

Our Critical Challenge: Bridging the Funding Gap

We are currently confronted with a significant funding shortfall. The resources we have on hand are not nearly enough to cover the essential costs of hosting an event of this scale safely and effectively.

To make the Third Annual Marathon Relay a reality, we urgently need support to cover key expenses, including:

Event venue
Race course safety and security personnel
Bibs, timing equipment, and relay batons
Hydration and first-aid stations
Volunteer support (vests, meals, coordination)
Promotional materials to ensure strong community participation

Without securing additional funding, we will be unable to proceed with the event as planned, and this powerful tradition will be put on hold.

The Path Forward: Your Support is the Final Leg of the Relay

We remain optimistic. We have seen the profound impact this event has on the men and boys who participate, and we are determined to continue. Your donation, of any size, will be the critical push we need to get to the starting line.

Your support will directly enable us to move from planning to execution, ensuring that the men and boys in our community have this unique platform for connection and growth.

Thank You

Thank you for your unwavering belief in this project. You are an essential member of our team, and we hope you will join us in this final push to make the 2025 marathon a resounding success.

With anticipation and gratitude,

Project Leader

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