Milo marathon in Accra tomorrow

The annual Accra Milo marathon which takes off in the capital early tomorrow morning is expected to produce the most thrilling excitement since the inception of the popular long distant event in the country in 1971.

The marathon still reigns as the most famous single brand event in the country at the moment and is set to reach its best moment this year with the great improvement in the winning prizes for this year's event.

Apart from the sponsorship packages from both KLM and the traditional sponsors, Nestle, the tourney has been given additional backing by Millicom Ghana Ltd, Dizengoff Ghana and the State Insurance Corporation (SIC).

While Millicom and Dizengoff are providing communication facilities for use to ensure a successful event, the SIC is providing more than a billion cedis full insurance cover for all runners.

And with registration and the mandatory medical examination said to be in earnest, tomorrow's event has been tipped to produce a high number of participants since its inception in the country over 16 years ago.

Officials of Milo, the number one supporter of sports since its introduction into the country in 1971 are said to be putting all the necessary structures in place to make tomorrow's event an extraordinary one.

The last three years have also witnessed Nestles' effort to draw the competition closer to the youth who are the future stars of the country.

With the U-15 event now more popular and prestigious among the basic schools in the country, there is little doubt that the competition is yet to be equalled.

Interestingly, many potential runners are believed to be gearing up for the event but there is doubt whether a greater number of them may have the luxury of time, pace and stamina to vie for the topmost prize.

In the past 16 years, since Alfred Amegashie won the first Milo marathon title, the competition has witnessed many comebacks and record breakings.

However, it is yet to be ascertained whether some of the past dominant forces like Fred Adongo, Emmanuel Amo, Stephen Manu, Alhaji Alhassan, Richard Nifa and Hagack Gideon will feature tomorrow to contest for the jackpot.

But one thing the potential champions had to accomplish to solidify their greatness is to turn back strong oppositions by putting in their maximum efforts.

At present David Zigah and Millicent Boadi hold the advantage in the men's and women's categories having also ranked tall among the top brass in the last few years. Meanwhile, registration to compete in tomorrow's marathon competition will end by close of work today.

According to officials of Nestle, organisers of the competition, no further registration will be entertained after registration has been officially closed this evening.

This, they said, is to prevent the situation where runners rush to the starting point at Nungua at the last minute to register and participate in the competition minutes before it starts.