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ECOWAS International Marathon: innovations to encourage regional participation

ECOWAS International Marathon: innovations to encourage regional participation The organising committee of the ECOWAS International Marathon held a press conference at the ECOWAS Commission headquarters on Thursday 27 February 2025. The aim was to brief journalists on the marathon’s organisation and the innovations introduced for this edition, which marks the 50th anniversary of ECOWAS. According to Francis Njoaguani, Director of the ECOWAS Centre for Youth and Sports Development (CDJS) and Chair of the Main Organising Committee, the first West African runner to cross the finish line will receive $1,000. Incentive prizes are also planned for the other four runners – namely the second, third, fourth and fifth place finishers – who will receive $500, $400, $250 and $200 respectively. During the press conference, he also announced the prizes for the other winners. In the 21 km category, the winner will receive $10,000. The runner-up and third-placed finisher will receive $5,000 and $4,000 respectively. In the 5 km category, the winner will receive $1,000. The Director of the CDJS expressed his satisfaction at the growing interest among the public in this international event. This marathon brings together runners from West Africa as well as athletes from other countries, notably Kenya, the United States, Switzerland and Ethiopia. The marathon is being held in the run-up to the ECOWAS African Wrestling Tournament, which will take place in Abuja as part of the activities marking the 50th anniversary of ECOWAS.