Schoolchildren steal show in marathon

Schoolchildren from some public and private basic schools in Accra demonstrated that they could go long distances in athletics when they participated in the Nuumo Kwantre Ashiley Centenary Under-15 Marathon held in Accra.

The event which was held to mark the 100th birthday of Nuumo Ashiley, a retired farmer, saw the children defying the early morning rain to cover the five-kilometre contest.

The 50 children began the race at the Weija Junction through the Weija township, climbing and descending hills and then ended at the finishing line at the residence of Nuumo Ashiley on the Weija hill.

Residents, taxi and trotro drivers along the marathon route were amazed at the endurance levels exhibited by the children as they went through the race.

At the end of the competition, Odartey Lamptey of the Weija Methodist Basic School came first. He was followed by John Dennis of the Thomas Clegg Methodist School and Pius Ahiabenu, also of the Thomas Clegg Methodist School.

In the Girls event, Kelly Grace Kotey of the Thomas Clegg Methodist School emerged winner while Grace Ashiley of the Prince of Zion Academy was second, with Jessica Amartey of the Ascension School Complex taking the third position.

The winners of the competition, organised under the auspices of the Future Professionals Sporting Club, were presented with prizes and certificates.

Nuumo Ashiley later advised the children to take their education seriously since education was the key to their success in life.

The Founder of the Future Professionals Sporting Club, Mr Samuel Ashiley, who is focused on discovering young talents, commended the participants, saying they had prospects in future.