Thousands of runners pounded the streets of Abuja on Saturday, 1 March, for the 2025 ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon, which began at the ECOWAS Commission Yakubu Gowon Way, followed by the 5-kilometer race, Afrosport reports.
An estimated 5,000 Nigerian and international runners battled for the $71,000 prize money on Saturday.
For the elite runners that participated in the 21 km race of Africa’s most lucrative half-marathon, the focus was on the $10,000 prize money for the top finisher. The top runners in the 5 km race also had their sights fixed on the prize money for the top five finishers.
It was, however, a dominant display for the Kenyan contingents as Harrison Muchira Wanjiru won the men’s category at the ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon half-marathon.
Wanjiru led the way for a Kenya 1-2 finish with compatriot Adam Sulaiman Muhamad, clocking a time of 1.05.27 to finish in second place, while Nigeria’s Francis James Musa came third in 1.05.51.
The women’s category, meanwhile, had competitors from Ethiopia at the forefront, with Lydia Natiyaka Wamalawa and Aberash Minsewo finishing in first and second places, respectively.
Wamalawa won the women’s race in 1:15.3; Minsewo followed closely in 1:17.14; and like in the men’s race, a Nigerian, Patience Dalyop, was third in 1:21.15.
However, the 5 km race was dominated by Nigerian runners, who also won most of the prizes reserved for ECOWAS citizens.
The men’s and women’s winners of the 21 km half-marathon race won $10,000. Also, all the first 200 runners to cross the line received bronze medals to show they had participated.
The Chairman of the main organizing committee and ECOWAS Director of Youth and Sports, Amb. Francis Njoaguani, noted that the event was part of activities to commemorate ECOWAS at 50.
Njoaguani stated that the initiative is aimed at encouraging regional participation and celebrating homegrown talent.
He reiterated that the future 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.
The 21km race began and ended at the ECOWAS Commission headquarters, while the 5km race started at Independence Drive by Sahad Stores and CDB, concluding at the same venue.
