MCE advocates September as marathon race month

Ms Rita Odoley Sowah, La-Dadekotopon Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), has advocated that September should be declared as a fitness month every year, for the organisation of marathon race for people to participate to win prizes.

She also encouraged Ghanaians especially residents in the municipality to endeavour to participate in athletic events for the youth to demonstrate their sporting prowess for honours.

Ms Sowah made the suggestion as a special guest of honour at this year’s millennium marathon hosted by the municipality.

She said the event which saw people from all walks of life participating, was a positive promotional activity that showcase and sold the potential of the municipality to the outside world.

Ms Sowah, said event was a good platform for Ghanaians to exercise their body to be physically fit and healthy always which would translate into efficiency at work and increase in productivity.

The MCE asked the residents to continue to maintain good environmental sanitation practices as the municipality is a preferred place of hosting national and international events.

The 21-kilometre marathon, dubbed: "Run the Change in You," was won by Ethiopia's Terefa Debella Delesa and Gebiqhosh Aeyle Inem who clinched the men's and women's title.

Mr Haile Gebrselassie, the legend retired Ethiopian long-distance runner in a remark expressed happiness at the patronage of the event saying that the future look bright for marathon in Ghana.

Mr Gebrselassie who doubles as Race Director congratulated his fellow athletes from Ethiopia for winning the competition, adding that although he would have loved a Ghanaian to win.

He said the race should serve as a motivational one to Ghanaian athletes to train very hard to give their foreign counterparts a strong challenge in subsequent competitions.