Thousands of enthusiastic runners are registering for the ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon and they are attributing their interest in the race to the generous prize money winners will go home with.
The ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon slated for December 16, 2023, is in two categories, the half marathon and the 5km road race.
The winner of the half marathon will go home with $10,000; the second-placed runner will go home with $5,000 and the third-place runner $4,000.
The first ten finishers will go home with generous prize money. The fourth placed $3,500, fifth $3,000, sixth $2, 500, seventh $2000, eighth $1,500, ninth $1,200 and the tenth placed runner $1,000.
For the five-kilometer family and fun race the winner will go home with $750, second placed runner $500, third place runner $400 and fifth placed $200.
Race Director Gabriel Okon of Nigeria’s Y & T Sports Management Limited told our correspondent that registration by Nigerians and other runners from ECOWAS countries has been very, very encouraging.
“In my over three decades of experiences in marathons and road races, the response of runners to the 2023 ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon has been fantastic.
“Most of the runners that came to submit their forms at our secretariat are confident that they will win the race. They are enthusiastic about the race and the prize money’’.
Okon, a veteran of many marathon and road races in Nigeria and America assured intending runners that everything is being put in place to ensure their safety along the route on race day.
“We are working with all relevant government agencies to ensure that the route is safe for runners and in the area of security, we are also working with security agencies to ensure the safety of runners”.
Okon also revealed that plans are in place to ensure that runners and friends of ECOWAS who will be at the finish point enjoy first-class entertainment.
