Sport for All: An Inclusive Competition

The Liberia Marathon — the largest road race in the sub-region — showcased its inclusivity with three distinct events: the half-marathon (21k), a 10k foot race, and a 10k race for wheelchair and crutches users. This inclusivity holds profound significance in Liberia, where the percentage of people living with disabilities exceeds the global average, a lingering impact of the country’s nearly two decades of brutal civil war.

The event also saw the active participation of hearing- and visually-impaired athletes, who were supported by guide runners from the Armed Forces of Liberia. This heart-warming collaboration underscored the unifying power of sport, serving as a beautiful example of solidarity and camaraderie.

A Record-Breaking Year

This year’s marathon, proudly sponsored by the EU Delegation to Liberia, attracted over 2,100 participants from around the world, far surpassing the 1,400 contestants in the 2022 edition. The turnout of female athletes was particularly remarkable: 518 women competed in the 10k foot race, 18 in the half-marathon, 3 in the crutches race, and one in the wheelchair race.

Go EU Team!

The incredible diversity of the competition extended to the podium, with athletes from neighbouring Sierra Leone securing top spots in multiple categories.

The EU Delegation’s team, led by Ambassador Nona Deprez, delivered stellar performances, with two colleagues earning spots among the top 20 female runners in the 10k foot race.

As the dust settles on this year’s event, our EU athletes are already looking forward to next year’s race. After a well-earned break, training will soon resume with renewed energy and enthusiasm!