Founder of the ABSA Black Star Marathon, Dr. Eric Kwame Adae, has revealed that the annual race is dedicated to raising funds to support underprivileged patients undergoing dialysis treatment, as part of a broader effort to tackle rising cases of kidney disease in Ghana.
The 2025 edition of the marathon took place on Saturday, July 26, drawing hundreds of runners and supporters to the streets of Accra. It was marked not only by athletic excitement but also by a renewed call to action on key public health issues.
In an interview with Channel One TV at the marathon grounds, Dr. Adae explained that the event is designed to serve multiple national objectives, specifically, public health and tourism promotion.
“We are using this to promote Ghana and the tourism potential of Accra, which is the key objective we want to achieve. We have been working with the Ghana Tourism Development Company and the Black Star Experience Secretariat to make this happen,” he stated.
He added that the race is also a platform for health advocacy. “We want to use this race to create awareness about kidney diseases, because they have become so rampant. And we’re using the race to raise money to support needy patients who are on dialysis treatment,” he said.
Dr. Adae emphasised that the marathon is now a permanent fixture on Ghana’s sporting calendar and encouraged Ghanaians to prepare for its next edition.
“I want people to mark their calendars already. This event is a permanent structure on the sporting calendar of this country. The logic is simple; it happens every last Saturday of July. Next year will be on the 25th, so we want people to start training, mark their calendars, and watch out for messages to participate,” he said.
Meanwhile, the First Vice President of the ABSA Black Star Marathon, Blake Bolden, lauded Channel One TV for its continued support of the event.
“I want to thank Channel One TV for their commendable support and broadcast; very clean and for deploying staff on the ground. If you can’t be here today and you’re watching at home, mark your calendars. Planning is already in motion for July 25, 2026, and it will be bigger, bolder, and better,” Mr. Bolden said.
With its growing impact and community engagement, the ABSA Black Star Marathon is fast becoming one of Ghana’s most influential events, bridging sports, tourism, and public health on a national platform.