Anloga and Keta will come alive on Saturday, April 4, as thousands of runners converge for the Godwin Atsu Adukpo Easter Marathon, a centrepiece of the Anlo Extravaganza and Heritage Festival 2026.

Blending sport, culture and community pride, the race has evolved into one of the Volta Region’s flagship events, drawing growing national attention and reinforcing the area’s reputation as a fertile ground for long-distance running.

Beyond the competition, the competition carries a deeper purpose to celebrate and sustain the Volta Region’s proud tradition of producing elite distance runners while unearthing the next generation of stars.

Talent hunting platform

At its core, the marathon is more than a test of endurance; it is a deliberate pipeline for talent discovery.

Named in honour of celebrated distance runner Godwin Atsu Adukpo, the event is designed to identify and groom emerging athletes capable of rising onto the national stage.

His standing within Ghanaian athletics as a four-time winner of the prestigious Accra Milo Marathon gives the race both credibility and purpose, and a powerful source of inspiration for young runners across the region, capable of following in his footsteps.

Early indicators point to a strong turnout, with registration gaining momentum, particularly among natives of Anlo State, who are rallying behind an event increasingly seen as both a sporting contest and a statement of regional identity.

Organisers, KPswift, working in partnership with the Keta Sand and Sea Resort, have intensified mobilisation efforts, urging indigenes of Anloland to take advantage of free registration to secure their places in what is shaping up to be a defining edition.

The marathon has attracted significant institutional backing, including endorsements from the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment, the Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, as well as the Keta Municipal and Anloga District assemblies.

Media organisations and other stakeholders have also thrown their weight behind the event, underlining its growing importance on the sporting calendar.

Prizes

To raise the competitive stakes, organisers have announced attractive prize packages for top finishers — a move expected to sharpen the race’s elite edge while maintaining its broad appeal.

Open to participants aged between 10 and 60, the event strikes a careful balance between inclusivity and high-performance competition, offering a rare platform where grass-roots enthusiasm meets elite ambition.