MONROVIA, Montserrado – At a well-attended program on Saturday, August 1, 2015, Liberia’s Youth and Sports Minister Eugene Nagbe launched the third iteration of the Liberia marathon.

After successfully hosting two marathons in 2011 and 2013, the Liberia Marathon Trust, which organizes the event, had to postpone and then cancel the 2014 race when it was clear that Ebola was showing no signs of subsiding.

Liberia has since gotten the outbreak under control and many stalled activities are once again resuming in the country, with the marathon being no exception.

The theme for this year’s marathon is “A New Beginning.” Nagbe said the marathon will be iconic because it will show the resilience of Liberians, despite facing the nightmare of Ebola. He said the competition is not just physical but also includes the preparedness of the mind and body.

In his address, the minister praised the Liberian athlete Joy Kollie. He said her third place finishing amongst international participants in the last marathon 2013 helped to bring Liberia to the forefront of the competition.

Although the 2013 race saw a host of local and international runners, it was dominated by non-Liberians. In fact, a Kenyan national emerged as the winner.

A former footballer, Kollie said she was able to accomplish the feat of being the only Liberian to record a top three finish because “there is never a day in my life that I don’t practice.” She continued, “I feel it is necessary to [practice] even if you don’t have a competition ahead.”

Kollie’s endurance came into play during the Ebola outbreak. She said the period of the outbreak affected her a great deal. “I lost my sister, the only relative I had – and even her husband also died,” she said. At one point, Kollie said she fell sick and “everyone ran away from me,” fearing that she had been infected with the deadly virus.

A member of the Liberia Marathon Trust, Charles Cooper, also spoke at the colorful occasion that was marked with cultural performances. Cooper said the committee was grateful to launch this year’s edition.

He recounted gains made over the last two marathons including over 1,000 Liberians, expatriates, and international visitors in the first ever Liberia Marathon. Cooper said the race was officially accredited by the International Association of Athletic Federations.

“In 2013, we held another successful marathon under the theme ‘Liberia Rising Together,’” he said. Cooper thanked their partners and sponsors for the efforts in getting sports to another level in Liberia.

Liberia Marathon Race Director Eunice Dahn. Photo: Jefferson Krua

For her part, the marathon Race Director Eunice Dahn said the race is an opportunity to foster development through sports. “This is an opportunity for you to see where you are from, where you are going, and what you want to see happen,” she said.

She encouraged international and local athletes to participate, with a special plea for Liberians to represent their country well.

Registration for this year’s marathon has started at the Monrovia city hall with the main race to take place on November 8, 2015. There will be two races – the 10-kilometer race and the half marathon. The half-marathon will begin from the Freeport of Monrovia to the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Stadium, while the 10k race (with a category for participants in wheelchair and crutches) will start from the John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital to the SKD Stadium in Paynesville. The course is expected to feature some of Monrovia’s historic neighborhoods and scenic beaches. More information about the race is available at the Liberia Marathon website or at +231 880 488-243.

Featured photo: Lisa Diasay