Kenyans and Ethiopians dominate ECOWAS Half Marathon in Abuja
Kenya Harrison Muchira Wanjiru won the ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon half-marathon on Saturday in 1:04.39 with his compatriot, Adam Sulaiman Muhamad second in 1.05.27 while Nigeria’s Francis James Musa came in third in 1.05 51.
If Kenyans dominated the men’s race, the women’s race was dominated by Ethiopians with Lydia Natiyaka Wamalawa winning in 1:15.3.
Aberash Minsewo, another Ethiopian, was second in 1.17.14, and like in the men’s race, a Nigerian Patience Dalyop was third in 1.21.15.
Nigerian runners dominated the 5 km race, they also won most of the prizes reserved for ECOWAS citizens.
For the elite runners that participated in the 21-kilometer race of Africa’s most lucrative half-marathon, the focus was on the $10,000 prize money for the top finisher.
Ditto for the top runners in the 5km race whose sights were also fixed on the prize money for the top five finishers.
An estimated 5,000 Nigerian and international runners battled for the $71,000 prize money on offer on Saturday.
The men’s and women’s winners of the 21 km half-marathon race won $10,000 each.
Also, all the first 200 runners to cross the line received bronze medals to show they had participated.
The Chairman of the Main Organizing Committee and ECOWAS Director of Youth and Sports, Amb. Francis Njoaguani noted that the event was part of activities to commemorate ECOWAS at 50.
Njoaguani stated that the initiative is aimed at encouraging regional participation and celebrating homegrown talent.
He noted that the future goal is to achieve the World Athletics Gold Label status within the next four years, positioning the ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon among the most prestigious road races globally.
