The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
Commission has unveiled an exclusive prize money incentive for West African
runners participating in the 2025 ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon.
The announcement was made on Thursday at a press
conference by the ECOWAS Commission, the sponsor of the marathon.
According to ECOWAS Director of Youth and Sports, Amb.
Francis Njoaguani, who also serves as the Chairman of the Main Organizing
Committee, the first West African runner to cross the finish line will receive
$1,000.
The second-place finisher will earn $500, while the
third, fourth, and fifth-place runners will receive $400, $250, and $200,
respectively.
This initiative is aimed at encouraging regional
participation and celebrating homegrown talent.
Njoaguani emphasized ECOWAS’ long-term vision to
elevate the marathon to international prominence.
He stated that the 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.
Currently, the marathon stands as the most lucrative
half marathon in Africa, offering an impressive prize structure for both men
and women.
Winners of the 21km race will each take home $10,000,
while second and third-place finishers will earn $5,000 and $4,000,
respectively.
The fourth-place runner will receive $3,500, followed
by $3,000 for the fifth, $2,500 for the sixth, $2,000 for the seventh, $1,500
for the eighth, $1,200 for the ninth, and $1,000 for the tenth-place finisher.
In the 5km category, the first-place winner will
receive $1,000, the second-place finisher $300, the third-place $250, the
fourth-place $150, and the fifth-place $100.
Njoaguani expressed his delight at the marathon’s
rapid growth and increasing popularity. He recalled the challenges faced in its
early years but noted that it has since evolved into a highly anticipated
sporting event.
The 2025 edition, which commemorates the 50th
anniversary of ECOWAS, is expected to attract over 5000 runners from across the
globe.
To mark this milestone, ECOWAS is fully sponsoring
runners from all member states, both men and women, to participate.
Additionally, significant interest has been shown by
runners from Ghana, Senegal, Guinea, and Côte d’Ivoire, as well as from other
regions beyond Africa, including the United States, Kenya, Ethiopia, and
Switzerland.
For this edition, some minor adjustments have been
made to the race routes.
The 21km race will begin and end at the ECOWAS
Commission headquarters, ensuring a seamless and well-coordinated course for
participants.
Meanwhile, the 5km race will start Independence Drive
by Sahad Stores and CDB and conclude at the ECOWAS Commission.
Beyond its competitive aspect, the marathon serves as
a unifying platform for West African nations. Njoaguani highlighted that the
marathon is more than just a race, emphasizing that it is a means of fostering
regional integration, bringing people together to interact, celebrate fitness,
and strengthen the bonds within the community.
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