The countdown to the 2025 Absa Black Star Marathon is underway, and organizers are leaving no stone unturned to ensure it remains Ghana’s flagship marathon, matching global best practices.

For 2025, there are larger cash prizes, plus some tech enhancements and additional ways to participate. There is a new marathon setup that should make for a better experience for athletes, exercise fans, and watchers alike.

Bigger prizes, higher prestige

This year, the total prize money is over GH¢132,400.00. The winners of the men’s and women’s 42.2km marathon will each get GH¢15,000.00. This increase is meant to get top runners from Ghana and other countries to join.

Also, the best wheelchair marathon finishers and 10km race runners will get good cash prizes. Dr. Eric Kwame Adae, Founder and President of the Black Star Marathon Foundation, says that there are cash prizes for the best athletes in each category, and over 200 medals for those who finish.

New Ways to Join

The marathon on Saturday, July 26, 2025, has different race options to get more people involved. There’s the full 42.2km marathon for men and women, a 42.2km wheelchair marathon, a 10km wheelchair race, and a 10km run/walk/jog for people and corporate and institutional teams. The marathon’s 2025 theme, “Your Story Matters,” is about welcoming people to join, connect, and get some exercise.

Technological Leap: Pace Car with Display Clock

Japan Motors is giving a Nissan Navara as the official pace car. It will have a race timer mounted at the top showing the running time lapse, which adds a level of professionalism to the race. This will enhance the viewing experience and enable athletes to track their performance in real-time. Speaking at a brief handing-over ceremony, Salah Kwaku Kalmoni, Director of Japan Motors, said, “For us, we are very happy to support the Absa Black Star Marathon for two years running.”

Support from Traditional and Government Leadership

This year’s marathon is getting significant support from various leaders. The Osu Mantse, Notse Nii Nortey Owuo IV, formally supports the event after a visit from Absa Bank Ghana and the BSM Foundation. Mantse, Notse Nii Nortey Owuo IV, gave a formal endorsement of the event. “It will help in creating healthy communities through physical activities and sport,” he said, thus adding that Ghanaians should be the ones who wholeheartedly embrace the event.

He wants Ghanaians to support the event, saying it can help the community get healthy by participating in sports.

Also, the Youth and Sports Minister, Kofi Adams, spoke with the marathon organizers on July 3 and said the event is important. He is excited about a partnership between the public and private sectors to help young people get skills in sports, and says the ministry will support sports that help young people feel national pride.

What’s Next?

This year’s marathon will both start and finish at Independence Square. Registration is open until Tuesday, July 15, 2025. Participants can register at blackstarmarathon.com, or by using the short code *713*33*22#.

With support from Absa Bank Ghana and its commitment to global standards, the Black Star Marathon has become a leading athletic event in West Africa. The 2025 Black Star Marathon celebrates everyone’s story, whether they’re running or cheering.