Raja Lagble retains Runathon Trophy

Defending champion, Raja Lagble braved the sweltering heat and risky driving by motorists to retain the 2014 Runathon 50 kilometre 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 finish 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 picked-up a cool GHC 1,500 for winning the race as well as a gold medal, silver trophy, a Garmin health watch, certificate of participation and one of two all expenses paid tickets to represent the nation at the 2015 Bank of Africa Marathon in Mali.

He was followed by Kwesi Savi, who finished second in a time of three hours, 22 minutes and 51 seconds while four-time Milo Marathon champion, Godwin Adukpo placed third. The duo also took home GHC 1000 and GHC 750 respectively and trophies, certificates and medals.

In an interview after the race, Lagble said his next target was to win the Bank of Africa Marathon in Mali and participate in the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil.

“It was a difficult course, the weather was not favaourable 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 2016 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.

Devine Athletics Club represented by Godwin Oduro, Ishmael Poin, Paul Mohammed, Isaac Akanegba and Kwabena Frimpong clinched the five by 10km relay at a time of two hours, 59 minutes and 22 seconds winning GHC 1,000 as prize-money.

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.

The 50km ultra-marathon wheelchair race saw for men and women saw last year’s winner Alfred Adjetey Sowah being dethroned by Botsyo Nkegbe who won the para cycling event in a time of one hour, 59 minutes and 37 seconds while Atsu Maclean placed third with Regina Awoeni winning the women’s event.