Hon. Mohammed Adjei Sowah, the Mayor of Accra launched the Accra Marathon at the plush Tang Palace Hotel in Accra.
He commended all the sponsors of the event for the confidence placed on the organizers who are experienced in managing international running programmes.
“I am happy the private sector is supporting this event, lets converge to exercise and run to be healthy, and everyone who takes part is a winner” he stated.
He said this year’s event on October 7th should be a big turn out as it carries themes on sanitation awareness and healthy lifestyle living.
Hon Mohammed Adjei Sowah said such events boast sports tourism and contributes to the growth of the economy, aside creating opportunities for friendship and collaboration.
He noted that the Accra Marathon’s objective is to promote a healthy, vibrant city, stressing an international attention to attract over 10,000 runners.
He hoped that in three years the Accra Marathon should become the biggest sporting event in West Africa.
The Deputy Minister Of Youth and Sports Hon Pius Hadzedzi said sports has many benefits for good health, wellness and business, so ventures like the Accra Marathon form part of the mass sports missions.
He urged all cities and assemblies to embrace such sports programmes, as well as the Vice President’s initiative of Monthly Health Walks for promoting mass sports.
He stressed that the Ministry of Youth & Sports has endorsed the Accra Marathon and promised to offer full support.
He encouraged people in Accra and Ghana at large who love fitness to join the Race as the government of Ghana will provide adequate security, supporting the Accra Metropolitan Authority (AMA) who are the agency collaborating with the Millennium Marathon Company Ltd for the third massive marathon in Accra.
The Egyptian Ambassador to Ghana HE Mohammed Heider who is a running enthusiast said he has witnessed the first two and prayed that the third event will affect tourism in a be better way and create more healthier people.
Some on the personalities who graced the launch and promised to participate in the Marathon are Hon. Henry Quartey, Deputy Minister of Interior and Hon Nii Narh Nartey, Member of Parliament for Ablekumah North, Hon. Fuseini Issah and Mrs.Jennifer Brock of the International Relations Dept of the AMA,
Mrs. Carthy Morton, a Director of the organisers said the Races will be in categories such as the Para cycling Race, 5km Race for Ambassadors, CEOs and Elite as well as the 21Km Race for the Masses.
She announced that registration has begun online @ www.accramarathon,com, the AMA office, Frankies, Papaye and the Millennium Marathon office at Nima.
Ambassador Ashim Morton told Yours Truly they have passion to help other live healthy and there is more room for volunteers and sponsors.
The 2017 Accra Marathon is sponsored by GNPC, Menzgold, Coral Paints, Peugeot, Papaye, MTN, Total Ghana, Goil Ghana, UNB, Gridco, BS5, Twillium Ghana, Tang Palace Hotel, ddp, IPMC, AMS, Wigal, Kasapreko, Ghana Shippers Council and Millennium Insurance.
Story by Sammy Heywood Okine