First National Bank Accra Marathon to attract 5,000 runners

An estimated 5,000 runners are expected to participate in this year’s First National Bank Accra Marathon which takes place on Saturday, November 11, along the major streets of Accra with mouth-watering prizes at stake for winners of the various categories.

For the flagship 42.2km marathon, which starts at the Regional Maritime University through various routes in the capital to the Dansoman Keep Fit Club grounds, a winner’s prize of GH¢20,000 each awaits the first adult male and female to cross the finish line. In addition, the winner will benefit from GH¢60,000 registration to participate in an international marathon.

After a six-year hiatus, the popular event, organised by the Dansoman Keep Fit Club, was resurrected through sponsorship from First National Bank as headline sponsor and other corporate partners, including the Graphic Communications Group Ltd and the Multimedia Group.

It is being organised in partnership with Ghana Athletics which will offer technical support by adopting a digitised timing system to ensure accuracy of timing in line with international standards as well as ensuring fairness.

Reward packages

At the launch of the marathon last Saturday, the Chairman of the club, Benjamin Ahulu, announced the reward packages awaiting the competitors and also revealed the registration processes already in place.

He disclosed also that an additional GH¢20,000 worth of products from First National Bank will be provided to adult male and female winners.

"The winners of the junior race will receive a cash prize of GH¢5,000 and other products to help them in learning when at school," he stated.

Last Saturday morning, over 1,000 people participated in the 2023 Great Walk, an annual 10-kilometre event organised by the Dansoman Keep Fit Club to celebrate International Diabetes Day.

 It involved members of various keep fit clubs in Accra and some residents of Dansoman and neighbouring communities who undertook the walk to promote a healthy lifestyle and also as a precursor to the launch of the highly-anticipated Accra Marathon.

After the launch, Boakye Yiadom, the administrative manager of Ghana Athletics, presented a certificate to the Dansoman Keep Fit Club to signify its endorsement of the competition.