Kenyans, Ethiopians dominate ECOWAS half marathon as Nigerians win 5 km race

Kenya Harrison Muchira Wanjiru won the ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon half-marathon on Saturday in 1 hour 04.39; on his heels was another Kenyan, Adam Sulaiman Muhamad, who was second 1.05.27, and a Nigerian Francis James Musa came third in 1.05 51.

If Kenyans dominated the men’s race, the women’s race was dominated by Ethiopians. Lydia Natiyaka Wamalawa of Ethiopia 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, they also won most of the prizes reserved for ECOWAS citizens.

Thousands of runners pounded the streets of Abuja on yesterday as the 2025 ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon flags off at the ECOWAS Commission Yakubu Gowon Way a little after 8.00 am, while the 5 km race started shortly after.

For the elite runners that participated in the 21-kilometer race of Africa’s most lucrative half-marathon, the focus was on the $ 10,000 prize money for the top finisher.

Ditto for the top runners in the 5km race whose sights were also fixed on the prize money for the top five finishers.

For former presidential aspirant Omoyele Sowore, a constant face in marathons and road races in Nigeria, America and other parts of the world, the ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon was another medium to carry his message of justice for humanity to every part of the world.

Sowore did not run alone; he ran with the #Run with Sowore Group and other members of his Lazy Man Athletics Club.

But for the majority of the runners like Blessing Mozie, they participated because running has become a way of life.

A staff member of the Down Syndrome Foundation of Nigeria, she ran on Saturday because running has become a part and parcel of Lagos