ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting sports development and national growth after presenting a sponsorship check of US$35,000 to the Liberia Marathon Trust ahead of the 2026 Liberia Marathon.
The presentation ceremony was held Thursday at the company’s offices in Yekepa, Nimba County, where AML executives and representatives of the Liberia Marathon Trust gathered to celebrate a partnership that continues to promote athletics, healthy lifestyles, and Liberia’s image on the international stage.
The sponsorship forms part of AML’s three-year Platinum Sponsorship commitment with the Liberia Marathon Trust, under which the company will provide US$35,000 annually for the 2026 and 2027 editions, bringing its total investment in the marathon partnership to US$105,000 over three years.
Speaking at the ceremony, AML Chief Executive Officer Michiel Van Der Merwe described the Liberia Marathon as more than a sporting competition, saying it represents the strength, determination, and resilience of the Liberian people.
“It’s nearly nine months since I joined thousands of enthusiastic Liberians to run in the Marathon. I did the 10k race from JFK Hospital to the Sports Complex and I must say, it was a worthwhile experience,” the AML CEO said.
“For me, the Liberia Marathon is not just a race. It is a demonstration of who Liberians are — resilient, determined, and unstoppable. And that is precisely why ArcelorMittal Liberia is proud to stand here today to demonstrate our commitment.”
Van Der Merwe said AML’s decision to become a Platinum Sponsor reflects the company’s belief in the importance of supporting initiatives that bring communities together and create opportunities for young Liberians.
“Why Platinum? Because this event deserves the very best we can offer,” he explained. “The Liberia Marathon is the only World Athletics-accredited long-distance road race in Liberia. It is a nationally significant platform, and we want to be the partner that is most visibly, most meaningfully committed to its success.”
The AML CEO emphasized that the company’s partnership with Liberia goes beyond mining operations, noting that the company considers itself part of the communities where it operates.
“We are not a company that extracts and leaves. We live here. I live in Yekepa. Our people live in Nimba, Grand Bassa, and Bong counties. Our hospital, our schools, our railway—they are part of this landscape and part of this country’s future,” he said.
He highlighted AML’s long-term investment in Liberia, noting that the company has invested more than US$3.5 billion in the country over the past two decades, including more than US$800 million in the Buchanan-Yekepa railway rehabilitation project.
Van Der Merwe also referenced the opening of Liberia’s first iron ore concentrator plant as another milestone demonstrating the company’s continued commitment to the country’s economic development.
“Sports development is community development,” he said. “When a young Liberian from Nimba County wins the Liberia Marathon race or earns a medal, that is not just athletic achievement, that is confidence, discipline, and ambition being built into the next generation.”
He added that the marathon sends a powerful message about Liberia’s potential.
“This race says: Liberia is open, Liberia is competitive, Liberia is rising.”
The AML CEO also highlighted the company’s participation in the race, stressing that employees will continue to take part alongside other runners.
“The ArcelorMittal team will run again. When your mining company lines up alongside wheelchairs and crutches and first-time runners, you are not just a corporate sponsor. You are a community member.”
He further announced that AML was proud to have its brand associated with the marathon through visibility on race materials, finishing structures, and broadcast platforms.
“We want everyone in Liberia to associate ArcelorMittal with the best of what this country can achieve,” Van Der Merwe said.
The Liberia Marathon Trust praised AML’s continued support, describing the company as a key partner in the growth and success of Liberia’s premier road race.
Representing the Trust, officials thanked Van Der Merwe and AML’s leadership team, including key staff members who have supported the collaboration, for strengthening the relationship between the two institutions.
The Liberia Marathon Trust said the event, launched in 2010, was created with a mission to develop opportunities for talented long-distance runners, promote healthy lifestyles, and contribute to building a positive global image for Liberia.
The Trust noted that the marathon maintains international standards through electronic chip timing and a course accredited by World Athletics, the global governing body for long-distance running.
According to the organizers, the 2025 edition attracted more than 3,300 registrations from 36 nationalities, with women representing about 33 percent of participants. The race also continued its tradition of inclusion by welcoming athletes using wheelchairs, crutches, and participants with hearing and vision impairments.
“As a supporter of our race for over a decade, ArcelorMittal is a big part of our success,” the Liberia Marathon Trust said.
The Trust noted that AML went beyond its financial commitment during the previous marathon by mobilizing more than 120 team members from several counties to participate, including CEO Michiel Van Der Merwe, who joined the race alongside his colleagues in Monrovia.
The organizers described AML’s involvement as a demonstration of shared values and community partnership.
The next Liberia Marathon is scheduled for November 15, 2026, under the theme “Building Bridges and Breaking Barriers.” Organizers said their target is to attract 5,000 participants for the upcoming event.
The Liberia Marathon Trust also acknowledged the support of the Minister of Youth and Sports, Cornelia Kruah, for her commitment to supporting the event and its organizing activities.
As the ceremony concluded, Van Der Merwe encouraged Liberians to prepare for the upcoming race.
“To every Liberian watching today: lace up your shoes. Start training. The 2026 marathon is coming, and the ArcelorMittal team will be there running with you, not just sponsoring from a distance,” he said.
“We are proud to present this check for $35,000 to the Liberia Marathon Trust in fulfillment of our sponsorship commitment.”
