William Amponsah, a young student of Swedru Business College in the Central Region won the maiden edition of the Asante-Akyem Marathon Challenge held on Monday at Agogo in the Ashanti Region.
He managed to beat off stiff competition from 298 athletes to emerge winner in a time of one hour, 12 minutes and 44 seconds.
He showed determination and resilience during the course of the 20 kilometer distance from Akutuase to Agogo race, leaving his competitors behind.
This triumph has earned Amponsah a return trip to London to watch the upcoming London Marathon.
The event was put together by former Member of Parliament for Asante Akyem North, Kwadwo Baah Agyemang, with backing from the Ghana Olympics Committee.
Mr. Baah Agyemang says his desire to promote less-fancied sport motivated him to organize the marathon.
“Ghana has been over dependence on football. When we talk about sports, everybody talk about football, there are a lot of people who participate in athletics, long tennis and other things but after school, they just leave it so the idea is to develop them at this younger age, harness the talents and skills they have and build them for the nationâ€.
The National Sports Authority also supported the initiative which saw participants from Ashanti, Central, Eastern and Greater Accra Regions.
In the female category, 17-year old Precious Aniaba of the Buokrom Junior High School in Kumasi picked first spot; she completed the race in one hour and 35 minutes.
She has also earned herself a four-day paid up vacation in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
Guinness Ghana Limited, African Origin Travel and Sports Tourism and Unibank are among sponsors of the event and prizes.