Eighteen-year old Akuka William Awunime masterminded one of the major upsets in the history of the annual Accra Milo Marathon by winning the 2011 edition held on Wednesday.

Awunime, who hails from the Ashanti Region, brushed aside challenges from defending champions, Godwin Adukpo and five-time winner Emmanuel Zigah to claim the topmost honour in the Silver Jubilee edition of the 42.2 Kilometre race in a time of 2-hours 26-minutes 2-seconds (2:26:2).

He beats Adukpo’s 2:28:40 recorded time in 2010, but fell short of Anthony Yin’s all-time best of 2:22:38 in 2004.

The 18-year old received a cash prize of GH¢10,000 and assorted products and souvenirs from sponsors, Nestle Ghana Limited for his feat.

The highly favoured Adukpo, winner in 2005, 2008, 2009 and 2010 finished fourth whilst Zigah, the most decorated in the history of the annual competitions with triumphs in 2000,2001,2002,2003 and 2006 settled for a disappointing 10th position.

Kassim Mohamed of the Ghana Air Force finished second whilst Agambira Akakiya of the Ashanti Region was third. Mohamed received GH¢7,500 whilst Akakiya parted with GH¢5,000 plus assorted products and souvenirs from sponsors.

In an address, Vice President John Mahama underscored the importance of joining keep fit clubs since it provided an avenue to exercise regularly which keeps the body in good shape.

Moataz El Hout, Managing Director of Nestle Ghana Limited pledged the company’s commitment to the event, which had served as a platform for the public to exercise and win attractive prizes.

He said his company’s association with the annual competition had propelled it to a higher standard whilst commending the organizers – Dansoman Keep Fit Club and other sponsors for their role in ensuring a successful event.

In the Women’s mass sports category which covered the same distance, there was a new winner in Lydia Ataa Afia of the Ashanti Region, who clocked 2:57:11. Nine-time winner Millicent Boadi did not take part in the race this year.

Elizabeth Botsor of the Ghana Police Service placed second in a time of 3:02:48 whilst Gifty Abbey of the Ghana Prisons Service finished third at 3:22:18.

The winner, first runner-up and second runner-up went home with GH¢10,000; GH¢7,500 and GH¢5,000 cash prizes plus souvenirs and products from sponsors.

Ernest Adjei of the Western Region came top in the U-15 Boys category whilst Joseph Kofi Mmonor of Greater Accra and Thomas Mensah, also of Western Region finished second and third respectively.

In the Girls U-15 category, Georgina Atsitso of the Volta Region was the winner. She was trailed by Esther Yampoh of Ashanti Region and Ayuaha Mama of Upper East in that order.

The winners in both categories received GH¢1,200; GH¢800 for the first runners-up and GH¢500 for the second runners-up. They covered a distance of 15 kilometres.

Seventy-two year old Osei Tutu of the North Kaneshie Keep Fit Club was named the oldest participant in the 42.2 Kilometer race.