By Foday Moriba Conteh
Africell has announced the launch of the 2nd edition of the Freetown Marathon on Friday, November 17, 2023, at their Beach Sport arena.
Scheduled for Sunday, December 10, 2023, the marathon is expected to attract a significant number of runners from various regions of Sierra Leone.
The Freetown Marathon spans 42.195 kilometers (26.2 miles) and kicks off and concludes at Africell’s beach data Centre facility.
This race route promises a scenic journey through the city, encompassing some of its most iconic landmarks.
Chief Corporate Affairs Officer of Africell, Joe Abass Bangura, expressed enthusiasm about the marathon’s launch, emphasizing its role in promoting healthy lifestyles and exhibiting Sierra Leone’s beauty globally.
The marathon features four categories: the full marathon, half marathon, 10K, and 5K races.
Harold Palmer, the Technical Director of the Sierra Leone Athletics Association, revealed that the Africell Freetown Marathon is a benchmark for the All African Games in Ghana slated for March 2024 adding how the top marathoner would secure an automatic opportunity to represent Sierra Leone at the All African Games.
The marathon’s timeline outlines the start times for each category: Full Marathon at 6:30, Half Marathon at 7:00, 10K at 7:15, and 5K at 7:20.
Palmer recommended that the medical examination for the full marathon be conducted at the Sierra Leone Athletics Association head office on Wellington Street to ensure professionalism.
