A student of Swedru Business College in the Central Region won the first ever Asante-Akyem Marathon Challenge staged on Monday at Agogo in the Ashanti Region.

William Amponsah defied all odds to beat off stiff competition from 298 athletes to emerge winner in a time of one hour, 12 minutes and 44 seconds.

He showed resilience throughout the 20 kilometer distance from Akutuase to Agogo race, leaving other competitors chasing his shadow.

 The feat earns Amponsah a return trip to London to watch the upcoming London Marathon.

The event was organized by former Member of Parliament for Asante Akyem North, Kwadwo Baah Agyemang, with support from the Ghana Olympics Committee.

The National Sports Authority also collaborated in the initiative which saw participants from Ashanti, Central, Eastern and Greater Accra Regions.

Another youngster, 17-year old Precious Aniaba of the Buokrom Junior High School in Kumasi, picked the first spot for the female category.

She completed the race at one hour and 35 minutes.

For her prize, she will spend a four-day paid up vacation in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

Guinness Ghana Limited, African Origin Travel and Sports Tourism and Unibank are among sponsors of the event and prizes.

Mr. Baah Agyemang says his desire to promote less-fancied sport motivated him to organize the marathon.

“Ghana has been over dependence on football. When we talk about sports, everybody talk about football.

There are a lot of people who participate in athletics, long tennis and other things but after school, they just leave it so the idea is to develop them at this younger age, harness the talents and skills they have and build them for the nation,” Mr. Baah-Agyemang has stated.