Freetown Marathon Gets Major Upgrade as Africell Introduces 42km Race
Africell Sierra Leone has launched the fifth edition of the Freetown Marathon, introducing a full marathon category for the first time and increasing cash prizes across the race categories.
At the launch, Madam Nancy Turay, Senior Event and Planning Manager at Africell Sierra Leone, described the five-year milestone as an opportunity to strengthen the marathon’s role in promoting health, recreation and unity by encouraging people across the country to run and walk.
Kamanda Kamara, representing the company’s Marketing and Communications Division, said the introduction of the full marathon reflects the event’s growth and Africell’s commitment to rewarding loyal participants.
Registration will be conducted by dialling *227# and paying through Afrimoney. The 5-kilometre race costs NLe 2, with prizes of NLe 10,000, NLe 7,500 and NLe 2,500 for the first three finishers, respectively. The 10-kilometre race costs NLe 5, offering NLe 15,000, NLe 10,000 and NLe 5,000 in prizes.
The half-marathon registration fee is NLe 100, with prizes of NLe 20,000 for first place, NLe 12,500 for second and NLe 7,500 for third. The newly introduced full marathon costs NLe 250 to enter, with prizes of NLe 25,000, NLe 18,000 and NLe 13,000 for the top three finishers, respectively.
Participants registering for the half and full marathons will receive 1GB of mobile data, while all registered runners across the four categories will receive official marathon kits.
Africell Sierra Leone Chief Executive Officer and Founder Shadi Al-Gerjawi credited partners, including Street Child and the National Olympic Committee of Sierra Leone, for helping establish and grow the event despite the company’s limited initial experience in organising marathons.
He also announced a change in the race route to reduce traffic disruptions and logistical challenges associated with previous editions, which used the Aberdeen Drive and Beach Road axis. The new full marathon route will run along the scenic peninsula, starting at Lakka and finishing at Tokkeh Beach.
The launch brought together stakeholders and representatives from Street Child, the Sports Writers Association of Sierra Leone and the National Olympic Committee of Sierra Leone.
Comments