Kenya’s Ezra Kipchumba Kering emerged winner of the 11th edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon on Saturday, completing the 42km race in 2:11:55.
According to organisers Access Bank Plc, Kering delivered an impressive performance but did not surpass the fastest officially recorded marathon time of 2:00:35 set by Kelvin Kiptum at the Chicago Marathon in 2023.
The race began at Orca Shopping Mall, Ahmadu Bello Way, Eko Atlantic City, and concluded at Eko Atlantic, Victoria Island, Lagos, with a 6:30 a.m. flag-off.
Among Nigerian athletes, Boyi Nyango was the first to finish in the men’s category, clocking 2:25:32. Organisers celebrated his performance, declaring, “Naija no dey carry last.”
In the women’s category, Ethiopia’s Meseret Dinke claimed victory with a time of 2:37:36, marking the sixth consecutive edition that an Ethiopian woman has won the race.
Dinke previously won the marathon in 2019 (2:48:02) and 2021 (2:28:51), reinforcing her dominance in the competition. Other recent Ethiopian champions include Guta Meseret Hirpa (2025, 2:37:04), Kebene Chala (2024, 2:43:32), Almenesh Herpa (2023, 2:40:42), and (2022, 2:33:54).
Deborah Badung made history as the first Nigerian woman to finish the marathon this year, completing the race in 2:55:46. Access Bank praised her effort, stating, “Lagos, stand up. Our queen is home.”
Earlier, Access Bank announced prize money for elite runners: $50,000 for first place, $20,000 for second, $15,000 for third, $12,000 for fourth, $10,000 for fifth, $8,000 for sixth, $6,000 for seventh, and $4,000 for eighth.
For Nigerian elite athletes, the rewards include ₦2,000,000 for first place, ₦1,500,000 for second, ₦1,000,000 for third, ₦500,000 for fourth, ₦200,000 for fifth, ₦100,000 for sixth, and ₦50,000 each for seventh to tenth positions.
Meanwhile, the 10km race, which started at Grace Garden Event Centre, Lekki, and will also finish at Eko Atlantic, Victoria Island, Lagos, is currently ongoing following its 9:30 a.m. start.
