Accra, Sept. 27, GNA - David Zigah, a 25 year-old photographer endorsed his supremacy as the don in the Accra Milo marathon by wining his fourth title, three them consecutively, at this year's 17th edition held at the Dansoman Keep fit Grounds on Saturday.
The champion opened up from Burma Camp after a study start from The Point, Nungua, and took an unassailable lead through some principle streets in the capital before bracing the tape in the 42-kilometre race which attracted over 2000 athletes from the 10 regions.
He clocked 2:27:13, seven minutes better than the time he made last year. His closest follower in the Saturday's race was Victor Ashiagbor, a lance corporal of the Ghana Armed Forces who recorded 2:37:19.
Impressive though at the annual event, was a debutant and national 1,500 champion Iddriss Adams, 17, who produced a last gasp sprint but could only manage a third spot in 2:38:47 but was greatly applauded by the fans who had lined up along the road to catch a glimpse of the athletes.
Zigah took home a cheque for 1,000 dollars, a Royal Dutch Airline (KML) economy class ticket to compete in the prestigious Amsterdam marathon and products from the sponsors, Milo.
The runners up, Ashiagbor and Adams went home with 2,000,000 cedis and 1,500,000 cedis respectively plus products from the sponsors. Millicent Boadi also stumped her authority in the ladies division, recording her third consecutive win with an impressive time of 2:47:20. Boadi who also went away with 1,000 dollars and a ticket to compete in the Amsterdam race placed 11th in the overall (men and women combined) ratings.
Gift Koomson and Esiman Torbadza clocked 3:02:28 and 3:06:42 respectively to place second and third. They were presented with cheques for 2,000,000 and 1,500,000 respectively as prizes.
In the boys' 15-kilometre under-15 race, Gideon Yawson, 13, of the University Practice in the central region, scaled over his colleagues to win the event and was followed by James Brown Adireh of the Awogeya Primary School in Bolgatanga and Kaba Nabarase of Awe Junior Secondary School in Navrongo.
Thirteen year-old Patricia Essuman of the Saint Nicholas also in the central region won the girls race, beating Linda Tiwah of the Kwaipeluga J. S. S. in the Upper East region and Patience Kaka of the Anfoega Catholic Hospital Primary to second and third positions. Prizes were also given to the youngest and oldest competitors. The marathon is organised yearly by the Dansoman Keep fit Club and sponsored by Milo, KLM and some allied partners.
