Fire Officer wins Sunyani marathon

Matthew Nantiere, 20-year-old employee of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), came first in the men’s division of the one-day Brong-Ahafo special Millennium Marathon in Sunyani on Saturday.

Nantiere overwhelmed spectators, particularly those who watched the 10.5 kilometre race from the roadside as the 2012 ECOWAS 5000 marathon winner ran passed showing no sign of tiredness.

Sunyani Regional Marathon was part of a road show aimed at promoting the main event in Accra on September 6, expected to feature marathon legends from Africa including Haile Gebrselassie from Ethiopia.

Leonard Segbefia, 43-year-old Prison Officer at Sunyani was second, followed by Samuel Peprah, 22.

Stephen Asante, 63-year-old Sunyani-based former Class Two Football Referee, emerged as the oldest runner, finishing last of the 400 runners.

Asante returned to Coronation Park, the finishing line, sweating while the presentation of certificates and prices was in session.