Kenyan athlete Harrison Wanjiru won the Third ECOWAS-Abuja International Marathon, earning $10,000. Local athletes Sunday Dagyan and Vivian Obadiah triumphed in the 5km race, each receiving $1,000. The event attracted 5,000 runners and featured a prize pool of $71,000. ECOWAS aims to achieve World Athletics Gold Label status for the marathon within four years.
Kenyan athlete Harrison Wanjiru emerged victorious in the Third ECOWAS-Abuja International Marathon, clinching the 21km race and a cash prize of $10,000. The marathon, held on Saturday in Abuja, attracted elite long-distance runners from across the African continent and beyond.
In the 5km race, local competitors excelled, with Sunday Dagyan and Vivian Obadiah of Plateau State winning in the male and female categories, respectively. Both winners earned a cash prize of $1,000 for their outstanding performances.
The 2025 ECOWAS-Abuja International Marathon showcased 5,000 participants vying for a total prize pool of $71,000. The top finishers of the half-marathon and fun run events received $10,000 each, while the second to fifth-place winners were awarded $500, $400, $250, and $200, respectively. Additional prize money was bestowed upon those finishing between fourth and tenth place.
All entrants were provided with a certificate of participation endorsed by the ECOWAS Commission President, while the first 200 finishers received bronze medals. Race Director Gabriel Okon confirmed that defending champion Gabriel Sellasie from Ethiopia will return to defend his title. Notably, 60 percent of the race participants were Nigerian, alongside competitors from nations like the USA, Japan, and China.
Ambassador Francis Njoaguani, Chairman of the Main Organising Committee and ECOWAS Director of Youth and Sports, remarked that the marathon is part of events celebrating ECOWAS’ 50th anniversary. He emphasized its importance in fostering regional involvement and developing local talent. Njoaguani expressed aspirations for the marathon to achieve World Athletics Gold Label status within four years, enhancing its prestige among global road races.
The marathon commenced and concluded at the ECOWAS Commission headquarters, while the 5km race started at Independence Drive near Sahad Stores and CDB, finishing at the same location.
The Third ECOWAS-Abuja International Marathon concluded with notable performances, particularly from Kenyan athlete Harrison Wanjiru, who claimed victory in the 21km race, alongside local winners in the 5km category. The event not only celebrated athletic excellence but also commemorated ECOWAS’ 50th anniversary. With aims to elevate the marathon’s status globally, this initiative highlights the significance of regional competitions in developing local talent.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
