Lagble wins 50km ultra-marathon title

Defending champion, Raja Lagble, braved the sweltering heat and risk from motorists to retain the 2014 Runathon 50 kilometres ultra-marathon title last Saturday in Accra.

Lagble, an officer of the Ghana Navy and a member of the Ashmapro Athletics Army Club, crossed the finishing line at the Accra Sports Stadium in three hours, 12 minutes and 34 seconds – 10 minutes faster than he finished last year’s race.

The 19-year-old runner picked up a cool GH¢1,500 for winning the race, as well as a gold medal, silver trophy, a Garmin health watch and an all-expenses-paid trip to represent Ghana at the 2015 Bank of Africa Marathon in Mali.

He was followed in second position by Kwesi Savi, who finished the race in a time of three hours, 22 minutes and 51 seconds, while four-time Accra Milo Marathon champion, Godwin Adukpo, placed third. The duo took also took home GH¢1,000 and GH¢750 respectively, as well as medals, trophies and certificates.

In a post-event interview, Lagble set his sights on dominating the continental competition in Mali and also participating in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

“It was a difficult race; the weather was not favourable because the race started late, and even though we had police escorts, some motorists refused to give us total access. My next goal is the represent the nation and beat the Kenyans and Ethiopians in the Olympics”, Lagble stated.

The women’s title for the 10km mass run was won by Falila Ligali in a time of two hours, 20 minutes and 14 seconds, while Yahaya Muta clinched the men’s title in 56 minutes and 29 seconds.

Divine Athletics Club, represented by Godwin Oduro, Ishmael Poin, Paul Mohammed, Isaac Akanegba and Kwabena Frimpong clinched the 5x10km relay in a time of two hours, 59 minutes and 22 seconds to take home GH¢1,000 prize money.

Botsyo Nkegbe won the para-cycling 50km wheelchair race  in a time of one hour, 59 minutes and 37 seconds to dethrone Alfred Adjetey Sowah, while Atsu Maclean placed third.

Regina Awoeni won the women’s event.