The navy officer raced past close to 1,000 marathoners in 3:12: 34, ten minutes faster than last year’s time, to pick home a medal, a certificate, a cash prize of GHs1,500, and a ticket to represent Ghana in the 2015 Bank of Africa Marathon in Mali. Lagble, 19, in a post-event interview, attributed his second streak win to sheer determination and hard work. It’s been hard work.

There is no secret sir. I made up my mind to defend the title and I worked towards it, said Lagble. Kwesi Savi finished second in 3: 22: 51, while four-time Milo Marathon champion, Godwin Adukpo took the third place.

They also received GHs1,000 and GHs750 respectively, medals and certificates for their efforts. The 10km women’s mass race saw Falila Ligali racing past her competitors to pick the ultimate prize after doing 2:20:14, with Yahaya Muta picking the men’s version.

Kwabena Frimpong emerged tops in the 5x10km relay in 2:59:22 to take home the GH’1,000 at stake. Botsyo Nkegbe picked the 50km wheelchair ultimate prize, while Regina Awoeni reigned supreme in the women’s event.

Founding president of Runathon Ghana Foundation Eric Addae described this year’s event as an improvement over the maiden event in terms of the number of sponsors and athlete participation.

He admitted however that some few challenges crept in which he pledged to correct before the third edition.

The Runathon president, a former marathoner, pointed out that institutions like Standard Chartered Bank have expressed interest in rallying behind a new marathon program scheduled for next year.