The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), has in collaboration with the Millennium Marathon Sports Company, launched this year’s edition of the Accra Marathon.

This year's edition, which is under the theme, ‘Accra, A Vibrant and Smart City’ was launched in Accra on Thursday, September 7.

The launch was graced by Pius Hadzide, Deputy Minister of Sports, H.E. Mohammed Heide, the Egyptian Ambassador to Ghana, Ambassador, Ashim Morton, Managing Partner of Millennium Marathon Sports Company, Members of Parliament for Okai Koi North and Ablekuma Central, Fuseini Issah and Ebenezer Nartey, respectively.

The Accra Marathon is a city-focused marathon aimed at promoting the City of Accra and the economic and tourism opportunities it offers.

This year’s marathon will be held on 7th October, 2017. The race will begin at the Black Star Square and participants will be expected to cover a distance of 21km going through the John Evans Atta Mills High Street, turning onto the Kwame Nkrumah Avenue, through the Lutterodt Street. The runners will then turn onto the Liberia Road and turn left onto the Independence Avenue which, will lead them to the 37 Military Hospital where they will turn onto the Giffard Road, straight to the Labadi Beach Hotel where they will turn right on the La Road to come and finish at the Black Star Square.

Speaking at the launch, the Mayor of Accra, Mohammed Nii Adjei Sowah said, the AMA is poised to make Accra the healthiest city and the leading marathon destination in West Africa within the next three years.

He added that sports is one event that attracts international attention and he intends using the Accra Marathon to bring attention to the city, stressing that he expects about 10,000 participants in this year’s marathon.

Mr Adjei Sowah, declaring the Accra Marathon officially launched, encouraged everyone to not only support the marathon, but also participate, stressing that participation is crucial because the higher the number of participants, the more attention it will draw. He acknowledged the contributions from all the sponsors and encouraged their staff to participate in the marathon.

In his address, the Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports, Hon Pius Hadzide gave his full endorsement to the Accra Marathon saying that it forms part of the mass sports developmental project of his ministry and it is a tool for creating wealth, jobs, prevention of crime and promoting the general fitness of individuals.

He assured the event organizers that, the ministry will ensure security, the provision of water and everything that will enhance this year's event.

Ambassador Ashim Morton was of the view that, the marathon offers a good platform of bringing people together and creating a healthy citizenry, and optimistic of the success of the Accra Marathon 2017.

Registration can be done online at www.accramarathon.com, the AMA Head Office and Frankies at Osu.