Kenya Harrison Muchira Wanjiru won the ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon half-marathon on Saturday in 1 hour 04.39; another Kenyan, Adam Sulaiman Muhamad, finished second in 1.05.27, while a Nigerian, Francis James Musa, caused an upset as he came third in 1.05 51sec.

However, the women’s race was dominated by Ethiopians as Lydia Natiyaka Wamalawa won the women’s race in 1 hour 15.3, Aberash Minsewo, another Ethiopian, was second in 1.17.14, and like in the men’s race, a Nigerian Patience Dalyop was third in 1.21.15.

Nigerian runners dominated the 5 km race and won most of the prizes reserved for ECOWAS citizens.

An estimated 5,000 Nigerian and international runners battled for a cumulative $71,000 prize money on Saturday.

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 (MOC), 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.