About Us

What is the Black Star Marathon?

The Black Star Marathon is a non-governmental not-for-profit sports development organization that was established by Eric Kwame Adae, a former elite Ghanaian long-distance runner. Our purpose is to help focus attention on and develop long-distance running in Ghana, both at the professional and recreational levels.

We aim to be Ghana’s premier road running event by nurturing the next generation of healthy and physically active athletes and citizens.

By participating in the Black Star Marathon, you can join thousands of runners from different countries and backgrounds who are running to support charities and causes that align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, while pushing themselves to set personal records and stay physically fit. Whether you run a 5K, 10K, half marathon, or full marathon, you can make a difference in the world by raising awareness and funds for the causes that matter to you. 

Our Core Values

The Black Star Marathon gets its name from pan-Africanist Marcus Garvey’s philosophy of the Black Star. For Garvey, the Black Star symbolizes the unity, power, and potential of Black people around the world. Garvey believed that Black people were destined for greatness and that they could achieve their full potential by working together and building their own institutions.

The Black Star remains a powerful symbol of Black unity and empowerment today. It is used by many Black organizations and institutions, and it is often seen on flags, clothing, and other items of cultural significance.
 
Inspired by the profoundness and contemporary relevance of Marcus Garvey’s philosophy, the Black Star Marathon aims to embody and actively express these ideals by uniting like-minded athletes from all over the world.  

"The Black Star of Africa is the guiding star of our destiny. It is the star of our redemption. It is the star of our emancipation. We must look to the Black Star for our guidance. We must look to the Black Star for our inspiration. We must look to the Black Star for our salvation."​

What We Do

The Black Star Marathon manages a variety of long-distance running events such as marathons, half-marathons, 10Ks, 5Ks, and fun runs/walks. These events are designed to offer more opportunities for Ghanaians and runners from all over the globe to race, improve their performances, and compete with international runners.

The Black Star Marathon also provides resources to assist athletes in proper training, such as coaching and mentoring, nutrition, equipment, and facilities. 

We are passionate about promoting health and fitness for all and supporting our community of athletes. We advocate for healthy living through regular exercise and support worthy social causes such as education, health, environment, and human rights.

We also carry out recreational and youth mission services by establishing a program that promotes children’s physical fitness, character development, and personal achievement through running.