The Dansoman Keep Fit Club has launched the sixth edition of the First National Bank (FNB) Accra Marathon, announcing a highly anticipated return to the full 42.2-kilometer distance, a brand-new route through the capital, and a pledge of continued support from headline sponsors FNB.
The launch, held at the Dansoman Keep Fit Club in Accra, was graced by Slyvia Adadey, FNB Brands Specialist, who pledged her outfit’s continued support for the marathon and future FNB Accra Marathons. Her presence underscored the bank’s commitment to elevating the event to international standards.
This year’s edition, themed, “Go The Distance – Run Accra,” is scheduled for November 14, 2026, marks the 35th consecutive marathon organized by the club and promises to be the most inclusive and spectacular yet, with several exciting additions designed to reward every participant and showcase the best of Accra.
A Return to the Full Marathon
Addressing the media, the club’s chairman, Benjamin Ahulu, outlined an ambitious vision for this year’s event.
“For the past two years, we have focused on adding talents for the marathon. For that reason, we have been running the 15 kilometers to 21 kilometers. This year we are back to what we introduced in Ghana, that is the 42.2 kilometers, that is the full marathon,” he stated.
He noted that the change was part of efforts to elevate the Accra Marathon to international standards.
New Route, New Start and End Points
A major highlight of this year’s edition is the change in the race route and venue. The marathon will now start and end at the Independence Square, taking runners through previously unused parts of the city and offering a preview of Accra’s iconic views.
“The start point and the finishing point has also been changed as well, and a lot more improvements,” Mr. Ahulu said.
He detailed the new route: “This year the marathon is starting at Independence Square, going through the Osu Cemetery, the Ridge Hospital, through the Nima Highway to 37, through the airport streets, down to East Legon, Abedi Pele Street, to American House, the flowerpot flyover to Spintex Road, to Teshie, the Kofi Annan Center, Osu, and back to Independence Square.”
Mr. Ahulu emphasized the significance of the new course, stating, “For the past 34 years, we’ve been doing a marathon in Accra in Dansoman here… We’re going to take the marathon to the other parts of Accra.”
Stylish New Medals for All Finishers
In a move that rewards every athlete, organizers have announced that runners who complete the race within the official cut-off time will receive stylish new finisher’s medals.
“We want to reward every athlete that crosses the finishing line. So, every athlete is going to have a medal. Apart from the big prizes for the top runners, we’re also going to have a medal for every athlete that finishes the race,” Mr. Ahulu announced.
This new incentive adds to the storytelling of the marathon and gives the public and marathon runners more to look forward to at this year’s event.
Three Categories of Races
The marathon will feature three distinct races:
- The Premier Race – The full 42.2km marathon, which includes professional athletes competing for prizes.
- The 10-Kilometer Race – For the “Rising Stars,” a category designed to unearth future talent in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service (GES).
“We collaborate with the Ghana Education Service… We have the primary school, the JSS and the SHS. We bring them together for this race, and through this we are able to attract talents, we are able to train them and are able to rise as international stars,” Mr. Ahulu explained.
- The Open Race – A community event open to everybody.
Substantial Prize Package
On the prize package, the chairman stated that while the exact figures were not yet finalized, the rewards would be substantial.
“The prize package is going to be cash… we’re also going to sponsor athletes to international events and for us, that is the beauty of our prize package. Our very last three years we sponsored the top athletes to the Cape Town Marathon, and that is how you develop an athlete,” he noted.
Expected Turnout
Organizers are expecting a significant turnout, with a minimum of 5,000 athletes anticipated.
“Last year we had about 4,000 plus… This year we’re looking at about 5,000 at least,” Mr. Ahulu said.
He broke down the expected numbers: about 3,000 for the Rising Stars race, 1,000 for the premier race, and another 1,000 for the open race. This, combined with volunteers and officials, means close to 8,000 people are expected to be involved.
A Marathon for All
With its return to the full 42.2km distance, a spectacular new route through the heart of Accra, stylish finisher’s medals for all who complete the race, and the continued backing of FNB, the 35th edition of the FNB Accra Marathon promises to be a landmark event.
The theme “Go The Distance – Run Accra” captures the spirit of this year’s race — a celebration of endurance, community, and the vibrant city of Accra.
For registration and more information, visit the Dansoman Keep Fit Club or follow the FNB Accra Marathon on social media.
