Koogo Atia won the men’s elite race at the 2026 First National Bank (FNB) Accra Marathon after completing his first 42.2-kilometre marathon in two hours, 28 minutes and 49 seconds.
The 27-year-old University of Education, Winneba (UEW) student finished at Independence Square on Saturday to claim GHC25,000, products from sponsor Bel Aqua and a sponsored place in the Cape Town Marathon in South Africa.
David Nakousi took second in 2:33:35, while Ishmael Fialor was third in 2:34:50. Nakousi received GHC15,000 and Fialor was awarded GHC10,000.
Kenya’s Aida Jerotich won the women’s elite race in 2:30:58. Her prize package included GHC25,000, sponsor products and a place in the Cape Town Marathon.
Ghana’s Portia Anaba finished second in 3:00:13, with Beninois Ayade Collette third in 3:03:22. Anaba received GHC15,000 and Collette GHC10,000 from FNB, along with sponsor products.
More than 10,000 people attended the event at Independence Square and its surrounding areas. Alongside the elite marathon, organisers held a 10km open race and a Rising Stars competition for young athletes.
More than 2,500 second-cycle students from the Greater Accra Region took part, while every competitor received a participation medal.
Marathon leaves Dansoman after 35 years
The 2026 event was the first in 35 years to be staged away from Dansoman, with organisers Dansoman Keep Fit Club (DKFC) moving both the start and finish to Independence Square.
At the closing ceremony, DKFC Chairman Benjamin Ahulu said the race began in 1986 with small contributions from club members. It later attracted backing from organisations including SIC and Nestle Ghana, which supported the Milo Marathon for more than three decades.
The event was then suspended for about six years before FNB helped revive the Accra Marathon. Saturday’s race was the fourth edition with the bank as lead sponsor.
“Crossing the finishing line is not the end of the race it’s just the beginning of another journey,” Mr Ahulu said.
He confirmed that the 2027 edition would take place around the same time next year, with the exact date to be announced. He said it would be “bigger and better”.
Mr Ahulu also appealed to corporate Ghana for greater financial support, saying the cost of staging the race was becoming too much for the lead sponsor.
“We need more money. The marathon is very expensive. You can see all the school kids here almost 2,500 coming in. We need you to come in, support us,” he said.
The event was Mr Ahulu’s final marathon as chairman after eight years in the role. He said he was proud to leave “on this great note”.
FNB plans continued support
FNB Chief Executive Officer Sylvia Inkoom said the bank’s sponsorship programme was intended to benefit the communities it served.
She described Independence Square as an “iconic” venue that represented “Ghanaian resilience and strength”, qualities she said were suited to a marathon.
Ms Inkoom urged more companies to support the event, saying it helped identify new talent and could eventually produce an Olympic athlete.
Organisers said they were working with Ghana Athletics to bring the Accra Marathon up to international standards, attract more international runners and develop it into one of the leading races in West Africa and on the continent.
