Adukpo targets Milo Marathon record

Four times Accra Milo Marathon winner, Godwin Adukpo is optimistic he would match the five-time record of David Zigah when the event comes off on September 21.

Just one win shy of achieving that feat, Adukpo said he has been preparing feverishly for the event and would certainly emerge as the winner.

“I am working towards matching his record and possibly setting a new one before retiring from the marathon as I hope to maintain and improve my strength not only to win the race but run a time which will be internationally recognized,” he stated.

He added he is unperturbed by the presumed threats of the other internationals especially the Kenyans that are currently causing upsets in the locally organised international marathons.

“I always believe in the Ghanaian runners except we do not manage our strengths well against the East Africans, but we could certainly win when we put up a good strategy and use our strengths positively,” he stated.

The Milo Marathon he said, is a good platform for Ghanaians to make themselves proud and it is important to go all out and prove a case against all odds.

“I also have about five lads who might cause an upset in the marathon as they have also been training and exhibited some huge potentials,” he stressed.

Adukpo also raised some heavy concerns about the organisation of such marathons in the country as far as awarding prizes are concerned.

Apart from the Milo Marathon that gives prizes to the first 10 athletes, he said other events focus only on the first three positions leaving the others to their fate.

That he said, is discouraging to other athletes who travel from very far distances across the country to compete in the race.

He stressed that, athletes complain bitterly after such events as they are usually disappointed since they hope to receive something for their efforts.

He therefore advised others to emulate the good example of the Milo Marathon and recognise the efforts of others who travel from very far places to compete as usual as there are participants from the 10 regions of the country.