With 50 days to go for the main Accra Millennium Marathon on Saturday September 5, 2015, the Regional events have been wonderfully patronized and it has really sensitized the masses.
The next Regional Millennium Race over 10.5 Kilometers will be in the Eastern Regional Capital town of Koforidua on Saturday, July 18, 2015 and the aspirations of the organisers is the Eastern Region lads to break the record set by the Volta Regional capital, Ho where over 3,500 people took part in the event.
Former national champion Joseph Yandal edged out favorite Godwin Adukpo to win the edition of the Volta Regional millennium marathon held in Ho.
Yandal, a police constable began the race on a very high note and zoomed into the lead just after covering 6 kilometers and kept the pace till he completed the 10.5 kilometer race in 32minutes.
Another police constable Elizabeth Bortsor crossed the finish line in 35 minutes to be crowned champion in the female category with Deborah Gah from Mepe coming second as Yayra Misiso of Bator placed third. The winners were given certificates and home appliances and would be representing the region.
Nana Adu Mankatta II, chief organizer of the Regional Marathons said the people of the Volta Region has given the Millennium Marathon an image as a program for the masses and this should inspire the Keep Fit Clubs, Schools and Colleges, Security Agencies as well as individual athletes to participate.
Ambassador Ashim Morton, the brain behind the Millenium Marathon said he was over whelmed by the Volta participation and believes the main event will live up to its expectation of 15,000 people, some running, other jogging and the rest walking or watching.
According to Ambassador Morton, the aim of the Millennium Marathon is the create opportunities in Business, Tourism, Health, Environmental Awareness and Physical Fitness for Ghanaians.
He praised the media, competitors and organisers who have made the Regional Marathons successful so far, and hoped that the remaining events will be better to usher in the September 5 big event in Accra.
From Koforidua, the Regional Millennium Marathon moves to Cape Coast on July 25, then to Sekondi /Takoradi on August 8.
Airtel Ghana has come on board as major sponsor giving the whole concept a bigger boost to encourage other corporate institutions since the objective of the Millennium Marathon is to encourage running for a better person in a better nation.
Roland Bruce in charge of Marketing and Branding said the theme for the Marathon “Run The Change In You” should motivate friends and families to join the races.
Some of the companies associated with the Millennium Marathon are Adidas, WATS, distributors of Peugeot cars in Ghana, Graphic Communications Group, Canon, Litina Travel, ddp, Blue Skies, Papaye Fast Foods, MANET, Coca-Cola, Alisa Hotels, GTV Sports Plus, Ethiopia Airlines, Indomie, IMPC, Melcom, NIB, Marina Mall and Tulloow.
Others are Total, First Atlantic Bank, GT Bank, Fedex, Huawuei, Access Bank, DWA, PMMC, Royal Bank, Cal Bank, Ecobank, Casa Terazzo and Fan Milk.