Carloha Partners Okpekpe International Marathon Approved by Authorities

Bennett Oghifo

Carloha Nigeria, the authorised dealer of Chery vehicles in Nigeria, has announced that it will serve as the Official Automobile Sponsor for the 11th edition of the Okpekpe 10km International Road Race, scheduled for May 30, 2026 in Edo State.

The Okpekpe Road Race is widely regarded as one of Africa’s most prestigious road races. It holds a World Athletics Gold Label and is a full member of the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS), drawing elite athletes, sports enthusiasts, and global broadcast coverage.

As part of its sponsorship, Carloha‑Chery will deploy two Chery HIMLA vehicles as the official lead vehicles for professional and VIP runners. The vehicles will carry the race timing systems and remain positioned ahead of the athletes throughout the competition, placing the Chery brand at the forefront of one of Nigeria’s most globally recognised sporting events.

Speaking about the partnership, Felix Mahan, General Manager Marketing at Carloha Nigeria, said the sponsorship is part of the company’s broader corporate social responsibility commitment to support sports development, healthy living, youth empowerment, and globally relevant community initiatives.

Mahan noted that endurance sports such as long‑distance running share a natural connection with the values represented by the Chery HIMLA—strength, resilience, durability, consistency, and the ability to perform under demanding conditions.

“The spirit of the Okpekpe Race perfectly aligns with the character of the HIMLA,” the company said. “Just as endurance athletes are built to go the distance despite challenging terrain and conditions, the HIMLA is engineered for strength, reliability, and sustained performance across diverse driving environments,” Mahan said.

He added that supporting internationally recognised sporting events contributes positively to Nigeria’s global image and encourages local participation in athletics and wellness culture.

Beyond the race itself, Carloha plans to use the event to raise public awareness of its customer‑focused aftersales package, CarlohaCare 6‑6‑7, which has helped distinguish the Chery brand in the Nigerian automotive market.

The CarlohaCare 6‑6‑7 package includes:

6 Years Warranty

6 Years Free Service

7‑Day Repair Promise

This package reflects Carloha’s confidence in the quality, durability, and reliability of Chery vehicles while providing customers with long‑term peace of mind and ownership assurance.

“Endurance is not only relevant in sports; it is equally important in mobility and customer experience,” Mahan added. “With CarlohaCare 6‑6‑7, we are giving Chery vehicle owners the confidence to go further with minimal worries, just as athletes push beyond limits to achieve excellence.”

As part of the activation, Carloha is inviting members of the public to visit the Carloha‑Chery stand at the event venue for an engaging fan experience. Visitors will have the opportunity to participate in fun games and interactive activities, win a variety of freebies, and stand a chance to receive heavy discount vouchers redeemable on all Chery vehicle models available at Carloha Nigeria.

The company said the activation is designed not only to celebrate sportsmanship and endurance but also to create memorable lifestyle experiences for customers, families, and automobile enthusiasts attending the event.

Carloha reaffirmed its dedication to supporting initiatives that create social value while strengthening meaningful engagement with Nigerians through sports, mobility, and lifestyle experiences.