Abuja will play host to the much-anticipated 2nd ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon on Saturday, attracting 2,500 runners from 15 ECOWAS member countries alongside four elite runners from Kenya and Ethiopia, all vying for the esteemed $70,000 cash prize. The marathon featured both a half marathon and a 5km road race, promising substantial cash rewards for top finishers.
The winners in the men’s and women’s half marathon categories will each pocket $10,000, while second and third-place runners will receive $5,000 and $4,000, respectively. For the 5km fun race starting from Banex Plaza to Eagles Square, victors will claim $750, with $500 and $400 prizes awarded to the second and third-place finishers, respectively.
Ambassador Francis Chuk Njoaguani, the ECOWAS director of the youth and sports development centre, outlined the awards structure. He mentioned, “The first 200 runners will be awarded bronze medals, and all participants will receive certificates of participation.”
In a press conference at the ECOWAS Commission ahead of the race, Ambassador Njoaguani emphasized the event’s broader significance. “The marathon aims to create awareness for the regional body, showcasing its institutions in Abuja, and foster sports for integration in West Africa,” he stated.
Addressing the technical aspects, race director and former Nigerian international, Gabriel Okon, assured meticulous planning for the marathon. “The race was conceived about five years ago, and now the second edition is here. The half marathon spans 21.098km, adhering to World Athletics (WA) and Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) regulations,” Okon affirmed.
The marathon not only symbolizes a prestigious sporting event but also serves as a platform to bolster ECOWAS visibility and promote athletic integration across West Africa. With elite runners from renowned African nations and a diverse participant base, the event epitomizes sportsmanship and regional solidarity.
