Thousands of amateur athletes, fun runners and elite sportsmen and women participated in the Accra Milo Marathon.

The race, which goes through Nungua, La Badi and Nkrumah Circle, saw over 5,000 take part with thousands more lining the route to cheer them on.

The athletes started at Teshie Nungua in Accra finishing at the Dansoman Keep Fit Club, where families and well-wishers had gathered to celebrate.

Ghana Armed Forces Corporal Kassim Mohammed won the men category with 42.2 kilometer elite race within the time span of 2:20:05 while Sakat Lariba from the Upper East region came first in the women’s mass race.

Her exploit ensured that six-time winner Millicent Boadi dropped to the second position. The 28th edition of the Accra Milo Marathon was dubbed: “Every Champion Starts By Taking a First Step”.

Organisers could not hold the annual event last year mainly because of the Ebola threat across the sub-region.

Trainer of Corporal Kassim, Professor Charles Yenderk, who was stunned by Kassim’s performance, told reporters the feat was achieved through hard work.

The former University of California lecturer added that his athlete included physical and psychological tools in his training and performance regime prior to the event.

“To be a better athlete does not necessarily mean that you must train harder or longer. You must include mental skills in your training and conditioning programmes as well. And that is exactly what we did to enable him enter the competition with the proper mindset to retain the title he won in 2013.

Asked whether Ghana could produce athletes that can compete at the top level in future, Prof. Yanderk was emphatic in his response: “That would involve lots of investments. We must have our priorities right and improve upon our facilities”.

The Under-15 race was keenly contested, but it was 15 year-old Joseph Otoo who romped home with the converted prize. The Junior High School student recorded an impressive time of 58 minutes and 29 seconds to beat his competitors.

Lafisatu Sumanu from Dwayaw Nkwanta placed 17th, but was the first female to complete the race and will earn Ghc5000 for her feat.

Here are winners of the various categories and prizes

Mass Sports Event

1st Corporal Mohammed Kassim - GHC15,000 plus assorted products

2nd Joseph Jardal - GHC5,000 Plus assorted products

3rd Malik Yakubu - GHC3,000 Plus assorted products

4th Raje Lagbe - Assorted products from Nestle Ghana

5th Akulugu Isaac - Assorted products from Nestle Ghana

Women Mass Sport

1st Lariba Sakat - GHC15,000 plus assorted products from Nestle Ghana

2nd Millicent Boadi - GHC5,000 Plus assorted products

3rd Elizabeth Bodwo - GHC3,000 Plus assorted products

Boys Under 15

1st David Otoo - GHC5,000 plus assorted products

2nd Gati Elvis - GHC3,000 plus assorted products

3rd Kooge Atia - GHC2,000 plus assorted products

Girls Under 15

1st Lafisatu Sumana - GHC5,000 plus assorted products

2nd Mumuni Asibi - GHC3,000 plus assorted products

3rd Deborah Agga - GHC2,000 plus assorted products