Ismael Arthur and popular young long distance runner, Elizabeth Azure, from the Upper East Region raced past thousand runners to emerge winners in the 21 km male and female categories at the Black Star Square, Accra on Saturday.
Arthur finished after clocking 1:08:09. Kudanu John followed in 1:08:53, while former champion, Malik Yakubu finished third in 1:08:58.
Elizabeth Azure dominated the ladies version and was followed by 14- year old Ramatu Abdallah and Judith Bayele (all from the Upper East Region).
The winners went home with a cash prize of $2, 500 and a hamper from Unilever, while the second and third placers pocketed $1,500 and $1,000 respectively.
It was Kakonissa Midoouna from Togo, who won the 5km male category and went home with $500; he was followed by Desmond Sarpong and Ametepe who placed third.
Raphael Nkegbe won the para race followed by Yakubu Abukari and McClean Atsu. They were all rewarded with handsome cash prizes and hampers.
Amdiatu Issaka, a 42-year- old trader was the big winner on the day as she won the Special Raffle prize of a brand new Nissan SUV car from Japan Motors.
Runners came from Nigeria, Burkina Faso, USA, France, UK, Morocco, Colombia, China, Spain, Japan, Holland, Kenya, Tanzania, Germany, Russia, Peru, Benin, Australia, Equatorial Guinea, South Africa, Ethiopia and Congo.
Ambassador Ashim Morton, CEO of the Millennium Marathon Sports Ltd announced that Arthur and Azure will represent Ghana at the Dubai International Marathon in 2019, courtesy Emirates Airlines.
The Millennium Marathon 2018 was supported and sponsored by companies including Unilever, Japan Motors, Allianz Insurance, Impact Clinic, Tang Hotel, MTN, MenzGold, Twellium Industries, NIB, Wigal, Whirlpool, Can West, Royal Habits and Zen Gardens.
Others are Elite Sports, Decathlon, NLA, Zoomlion, Papaye, Melcom, Blue Skies, Accra Mall, Frankies Hotel, Indomie, 4GS, AMS, Garmin, ddp, Beautiful Beneath, Emirates, Ghana Police and GNFS.
Professor Azumah Nelson, Tic, and Dr. Vannesa Atukpui, Naa Ashokor, among others, graced the event.
The first ever Millennium Marathon wedding also took place at the spacious Independence Square.
By Kofi Owusu Aduonum