SPORTS: Liberia Marathon Winners

The BHP Billiton Liberia Marathon Winners  Press Release

Running 26.2 miles in the wettest capital in the world is ‘no small thing’ as Liberians would say. But close to a thousand people turned out to run in Liberia’s FIRST ever marathon event – the 10km race, the Amputee race, the Wheelchair race and the Marathon race on Sunday 28^th August.

Ethiopian runner, Mehari Gebre, who flew into Liberia to take part in the country’s first ever accredited marathon race took the gold. But it was 16 year old Lucy Massaquoi, a Liberian, who won the women’s marathon race. Speaking before the event she said, ‘I am not scared. I encourage more women to run with me.’

Liberian runner Bill Rogers, who is currently in the US on an athletics scholarship, won the top prize in the men’s 10km race. When asked why he flew all the way home to take part he said, ‘ I just wanted to make history for the Liberian people.’ He added, ‘I just wanted to make them proud of Liberia!’

Speaking live at the closing ceremony at SKD stadium, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf who ran part of the 10km race herself said, ‘This is another first for Liberia.’ Madam Sirleaf is the Patron of Sport and knows all too well how important sport is for the development of the country. As she stood on stage in front of the cheering crowds at the national stadium, she jokingly made a comment about the spectacular Liberian rain the runners had to contend with.

BHP Billiton were the title sponsors of this year’s event. The company’s Chief Executive Officer, Jeffery Zweig, who also ran alongside the President said, ‘I congratulate and thank you for showing the world some of the best that this country has to offer: patriotism, athletic excellence, and true sportsmanship.’