James Ayamga, a former student of Ghana National Academy in Kumasi run a very fast time of 28 minutes to come first in the Ashanti Regional Millennium Marathon held in the Garden City on Wednesday, July 1, 2015.
He was followed closely by Kwadwo Akobakoga and Christopher Akoligo who placed second and third respectively with Issah Fuseini and George Kudonu also qualifying to represent the region in the big International Millennium Marathon in Accra on Saturday, September 5, 2015.
In the female category which was dominated by students, Beatrice Koname came first, Issaka Hamidatu was swcond and Charlotte Fourdjour took the third prize.
They were presented with plasma Television sets, Refrigerators and Cookers.
Also taking part in the race were disabled athletes who stole the show with superb riding, and at the end of the 10.5 Kilometers race, Adjara Mohamed and Anita Fourdjour were honoured alongside their male counterparts, Patricl Obeng, Felix Acheampong and Abdul Gofa. They also took home electrical appliances.
The Kumasi event which was highly publicized was dominated by students and Keep Fit Clubs a well as others who wanted to run for fun. The run through the pricipal streets and ended at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
Nana Mankatta, chief organiser of the Regional Millennium Marathons said he was not impressed with the number of participants and wished other events had not been held on the day, which was the Republic Day and a holiday in Ghana.
He was however impressed with the time of the winner and expected a keen contest in September.
Ambassador Ashim Morton, initiator of the international marathon in Ghana was also elated with the publicity and awareness that the marathon had created in the Ashanti Region and hoped that the five remaining events would be heavily patronised.
Joe Kpenge, Director General of the National Sports Authority who was present at race said event like the Marathon was very necessary as it afforded other people who does not love one particular sport the opportunity to ran, whilst others used the event to keep fit.
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Hon.Peter A. Mensah praised the organisers of the Millennium Marathon and touched on the theme of the event "Run The Change In You" and urged all Ghanaians to be part of the main race which is expected to be run by 15,000 people from Ghana and other countries.
Meanwhile, the Millennium Marathon has attracted other sponsors apart from Ethiopia Airlines and Peugeot.
The new sponsors include Airtel, Papaye Fast Foods, Fan Milk, Manet, HP, Lava, Melcom, ddp, Total, Goil, Access Bank, Tullow, Canon, Adidas, Litina Travels, IPMC, Ghana Rubber, Alisa Hotels, Indomie, UT Bank, First Capital Plus Bank, NIB, Marina Mall, PMMC, Royal Bank, Ecobank, Fedex, Phoenix Insurance, GT Bank Coca Cola, Graphic Communications, GTV Sports Plus and others.
The next stop of the Marathon is in the capital of the Volta Region, Ho where it is reported that even farmers want to be part to challenge the students.