Reigning champion Godwin Adukpo is eager to defend his title at this year’s Accra Milo Marathon which is scheduled for September 21. The 24-year-old will face stiff competition from 6,500 runners expected to participate in the 42.2 kilometer race. Several runners have intensified their preparations for the marathon after organizers announced that a cash prize of 10,000 cedis will be handed to the winners in both male and female divisions. Adukpo told JOY Sports, “I have an aim to achieve. I am not going run because of the prize. I am going to put up my best performance which will take me higher.” He added that, “I have been running for quite a long time now and I have to step up to a world target whereby I will compete against people of world class, not local base. So, I have been training hard just to win this race as a platform for international competitions.” Godwin Adukpo is chasing his fifth crown after winning the marathon in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.