Julius Okorie
Winner of the 5km Fun Run of this year’s Ecowas Abuja International Marathon is to go home with improved package of N1.7 million.
The event this year is considered special as it marks the Golden Jubilee of ECOWAS existence. The prize for the 5km fun run received a 25% increase to mark the special occasion ensuring that the eventual winner takes home $1,000 as against $750.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelChairman, Main Organising Committee (MOC), of the race, Amb. Francis Chuks Njoaguani,said that there will also be other largesse for participants aside the prize money
Njoaguani disclosed that the rationale behind the 5 km Fun Run was to encourage participants and ECOWAS citizens in general to exercise and make running a way of life because of its immense health benefits.
Njoaguani, who doubles as the director of the ECOWAS Youth and Sports Development Centre based in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, said: “The 5 km Fun Run is special to us because we initiated it as part of the 21 km race so that more of our people will embrace the culture of walking, jogging, exercise, and running and make it part of their daily routine”
“That is why we have decided to increase the prize money for the 5km race from $750 to $1000 (about N1.7 million) to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of ECOWAS and encourage our people to make running a way of life. We are not increasing the prize money for just the winner but all the top finishers as specified in the participants’ guide; we are also inviting elite runners from all ECOWAS countries”.
READ ALSO:Ethiopian Stars Clinch ECOWAS Abuja Marathon Top Prizes
The March 1, 2025 event is expected to attract runners and fitness enthusiasts across the continent and beyond.
The 5km Race will begin at Eagle Square and end at the ECOWAS Commission in Asokoro Abuja, while the 21km (half-marathon) will start at the ECOWAS Commission and return to finish at the same location.
Meanwhile, Race Director Gabriel Okon , has disclosed that the race was open to all categories of runners.
“The event is for elites and fun runners and other classes of fitness enthusiasts from across the continent, all vying for their share of over $71,000 in prize money. The marathon is not only a celebration of athleticism but also a showcase of unity and the vibrant spirit of the region.”
At the 2023 edition of the Marathon, Gebresilase Abadi Haftamu of Ethiopia emerged champion of 21km half Marathon pocketing the $10,000 prize. The 5km fun race winner took home $750 with prize money also given to the 2nd to 5th positions.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
