Malik Yakubu of Tamale was awarded the first position prize after he won the first ever 10.5k Regional Marathon organized by the Millennium Marathon Company.
Second place went to Atampouri Akakiya, with Yusif Malik taking the third place in the event which attracted lots of participants including the Northern Regional Minister.
Abini Beauty expressed her beauty on the road to win the female category with Felicia Pomega closely tailing her and Ibrahim Rabbi going for the third position.
The event took place in the Northern regional capital city of Tamale attracting many runners who were enticed to run and enter the main Marathon in Accra on September 6, 2015.
Malik Yakubu's prize was a plasma television. Seven other individuals, who took part in the 10.5 kilometre competition, which started from Jubilee Park through some principal streets of the metropolis and back to the Jubilee Park in Tamale, also won various prizes.
The first regional race also attracted many spectators from all walks of life who cheered the runners from the blast of the gun to start till the finish of the race.
An official of the organisers, Roland Bruce urged Ghanaian athletes to join the regional events and train hard to grab the mouthwatering price of a brand new Peugeot salon car and other consolation prices from sponsors.
He stressed that there are many benefits to be derived from the Millennium Marathon, such as running to be fit, running to make friends and business contacts and partners, running to advertise for companies who are supporting the event and running to market Ghana.
Bruce who is in charge of Marketing and Publicity for the Millennium Marathon urged all sports men and women to join the race and participate.
“Let me use this medium to invite our honourable sportsmen and women to join the Millennium Marathon. We wish to see our sporting idols like Professor Azumah Nelson and Stephen Tornado Appiah running with us” he said.
Mr. Bruce, Creativity, Branding and Media Coordinator of Millennium Marathon Sports Limited expressed satisfaction at the event and assured of an improved organization in the subsequent editions.
The rest of the regional marathons are Wa June 20, Sunyani June 27, Kumasi, July 1, Ho, July 11, Koforidua, July 18, Cape Coast, July 25 and Sekondi/Takoradi, July 25. Meanwhile, the national marathon will be held in Accra on September six this year with about 1,500 international athletes expected to participate in the event.
The Northern Regional Marathon was organized by the Ministry of Youth and Sports in partnership with the Millennium Marathon Sports Limited to good health amongst the people.
It was also to unearth young talents as well as promote the country on the international scene. Alhaji A.B.A Fuseini, Deputy Northern Regional Minister congratulated the competitors for participating in the exercise.
Registration for the event is 10ghc for Ghanaians and $40 for non-Ghanaians in the 21 kilometers race, whilst the 5 kilometers race will cost 10ghc for Ghanaians, 5ghc for the youth aged between 18years -25years and $20 for non-residents.
Registration can be done on line through – millenniummarathon.com/registration/entry.info.2/ or buying the Daily Graphic and Graphic Sports to fill a form.
Selected outlets for registration include the Adidas office at Stanbic Heights near Airport, Graphic Communications, Ethiopia Airlines, Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), the Ministry of Youth & Sports and the Ghana Athletic Association (GAA) at the main gate of the Accra Sorts Stadium.
Ethiopian legend Haile Gebrselassie who was in Ghana to launch the event is the race director. Gebrselassie has won two Olympic gold medals and he is world champion over 10,000 meters. He won the Berlin Marathon four times on the row and had three straight wins for the Dubai Marathon.
He also won the world indoor title four times and broke 61 Ethiopian national records ranging from 800 metres to the marathon. For the records Haile Gebrselassie set 27 world records, and is widely considered one of the greatest distance runners in history.
He is also mentor and ambassador for the G4S 4teen, a programme supporting young athletes.
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