Highland Athletics Club wins ECOWAS Marathon
Jos Highlands Athletics Club, one of Nigeria’s premier athletics clubs, has announced its intention to send 25 elite athletes to the upcoming 2023 ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon.
“The ECOWAS race is a great platform for our athletes to showcase their talents,” said Steve Nuhu, club coordinator and mentor to many long-distance runners in Nigeria. .
Nouf expressed confidence in the team’s ability to dominate the podium, especially in the women’s category. “Our players are training hard and are determined to achieve this goal,” he said.
The ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon, scheduled for December 16, 2023, will have two divisions: a half marathon and a 5km fun run, with the half marathon winner receiving a prize of $10,000, and the second and third place winners Prize money will be given to the players. They earn $5,000 and $4,000 respectively.
Big prizes will be awarded to the top 10 winners: $3,500 for 4th place, $3,000 for 5th place, $2,500 for 6th place, $2,000 for 7th place, $1,500 for 8th place, and $1,500 for 9th place. will receive $1,200 and 10th place will receive $1,000.
The winner of the 5K Family and Fun Run will receive $750, second place $500, third place $400 and fifth place $200.
“We at the Highlands Athletics Club are excited about the ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon,” said Nouf. “This will provide a new international platform for our athletes. We have already registered 25 elite athletes and many fun runners from Jos state are also participating.”
Mr Nuhu expressed his gratitude to ECOWAS for providing opportunities to runners not only in Nigeria but across the sub-region and appealed to the governors of the northern states to invest in marathon races.
“We commend the efforts of ECOWAS to promote marathon racing in the sub-region. We especially urge the governors of Northern Nigeria to take up this responsibility and support the immense potential of long-distance running in this country. We appeal to you to help us realize our potential. If we invest properly in northern talent, we will soon be able to compete with the likes of Kenyans and Ethiopians,” Nuhu concluded.
Source: guardian.ng