28th Accra Milo Marathon launched

Management of Nestle Ghana Limited, a leading beverage manufacturing company in Ghana, has launched the 28th edition of the Accra Milo Marathon.

Speaking at the official launch in Accra on Friday, Antoinette Arkoh, Human Resource Manager of Nestle Ghana, said steps have been taken to help raise awareness for the event and cement its position as one of Africa’s leading marathons.

This year’s Accra Milo Marathon is under the theme, “Every Champion Starts By Taking a First Step”.

According to Ms Arkoh, the theme was carefully chosen to emphasize the role of sports in promoting health.

She says her outfit would continue to support the discovery and nurturing of a high caliber of sporting talents for the country.

“Nestle Ghana are committed to supporting the unearthing of talents and encouraging young people to aspire to get to the ultimate using sports as a tool,” Ms Arkoh added.

On Monday September 21 the prestigious Accra Milo Marathon takes place with over 10,000 participants expected to compete for honors in three different segments.

The race for adults covers a distance of 42.2 km while the U-15 or the junior sport covers a distance of 15km. The new segment added to whip up interest in this year’s event is the 5km fun non-competitive race.

Nestle says the non-competitive race is to encourage family work out and physical activity lifestyle among the general public. A total amount of GHC200,000 worth in cash and product prizes will be given out this year, according to Ms Arkoh.

She disclosed that this year’s event will see the distribution of 10,000 training boots to some deprived schools and underprivileged children.

For the adult race, the first person will romp home with a whopping GHC15,000.00 cash prize. First runner-up goes home with GHC5,000.00 whiles the second runner-up receives GHC3,000.00.

For the junior sport category, Ms Arkoh revealed, the 1st prize is GHC5,000.00. First runner-up GHC2,000.00 whiles the second runner-up romps home with GHC1,000.00. Organizers of the marathon, the Dansoman Keep fit Club, disclosed that new security measures have been introduced to prevent athletics from cheating.

Chairman of the Dansoman Keep Fit Club, Mr Danny Welbeck, said certified athletics shall obtain a security band as well as a running vest at the starting points.

He added: “On the route athletics would be made to collect a security item from undisclosed security check points.

“Do not receive assistance in any form from friends or from the members of the public. Athletes must not exchange their vest or bands with any other person and must successfully go through all the chartered routes”.

Mr Welbeck stressed that any act that could violate the directives could lead to the disqualification of an athletic. He said medical screening for prospective participants would take place from 10th to 19th September.

Interested persons were asked to visit the Dansoman keep fit Club, Abrantei Sport, Abeka Lapaz and the various stadiums across the country for registration forms.

Other registration points include, the Azuma Nelson Sports Complex, Tema Sports Stadium, Ashiaman Market Area, Nestle Factory, Tema, Achimota New Bus Terminal and other areas to be announced soon.

Mr Welbeck disclosed that athletics would be required to pay GHC10.00 to obtain registration forms to participate in the adult race.

Registration forms for the Under 15 go for GHC5.00. Voltic Mineral Water and Metz Insurance Company are co- sponsors for this year’s Accra Milo Marathon.