Accra Milo Marathon fixed for September 21

Accra, Aug. 22, GNA – The 2011 edition of the Accra Milo Marathon will take place on Wednesday, September 21, 2011.

The 25th edition of the event, which is unarguably one of the most anticipated events on the Ghanaian sporting calendar, is expected to attract a target of 6,500 runners across the country to vie for attractive prizes.

Nestle Ghana Limited, the Headline sponsors of the 42.2-kilometre race, have assured that the silver jubilee edition of the annual event, which is under the theme, “25 years of nourishing champions”, will supersede previous editions and will leave lasting memories in the minds of all.

Moataz El Hout, Managing Director of Nestle Ghana Limited at the official launch of the event at the weekend, said the theme captures the nourishment that the Milo brand has provided for participants and all during the past 25-years in the history of the marathon.

He said Nestle has pumped over One Million Ghana cedis into the successful organization of the silver jubilee event that includes prizes, kits, media advertising and other expenses.

Samuel Osafo, Category Brands Manager of Nestle Central and West Africa Region, announced that an innovative torch relay will herald the main event to create awareness and generate public interest.

He said the relay touch will begins from Tamale on September 1 through to Sunyani, Kumasi, Koforidua, Ho, Takoradiand thence to Cape Coast before terminating in Accra on September 19.

Osafo explained that 400 participants from the male and female categories will share a jackpot of GH¢1 Million with cash prizes for the first 100 finishers.

He mentioned that winners in both male and female divisions will pocket GH¢10,000, GH¢7,000 for the first runner-up and GH¢5,000 for the second runner-up.

For the U-15 boys and girls event, the winner will go home with GH¢1,200 cash, GH¢800 and GH¢500 for the first and second runners-up respectively.

Madam Elizabeth Amoah-Tetteh, Deputy Minister of Education commended Nestle Ghana Limited for their contribution to the development of sports in the country, especially the School Sports Festival.

She tasked the organizers to consider the inclusion of physical challenged persons in future competitions so as to encourage them and not to marginalize them in social and national activities.

The Mass event is a 42.2-Kilomtere race whilst the U-15 event is for 15 kilometres.

Other supporting sponsors are Evergreen Drinking Water and Metroppolitan Insurance Company Limited.