East African athletes once again asserted their dominance at the 2026 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, with runners from Kenya and Ethiopia claiming top honours in the men’s and women’s races.
Kenya’s Ezra Kipchumba Kerin delivered an impressive performance on Saturday, winning the men’s elite race with a time of 2 hours, 11 minutes and 55 seconds. Demonstrating tactical discipline and endurance, Kerin surged ahead of a competitive field to secure victory at the finish line in Eko Atlantic City.
In the women’s category, Ethiopia’s Meseret Dinke crossed the line first, posting a time of 2 hours, 37 minutes and 36 seconds to seal her triumph.
Their victories reinforce the continued supremacy of East African athletes — particularly Kenyans and Ethiopians — in the Lagos Marathon and other major road races around the world. The result mirrors last year’s edition, where Kenya’s Edwin Kibet and Ethiopia’s Guta Meseret Hirpa emerged as winners in the men’s and women’s races respectively.
Now in its 11th edition, the Lagos City Marathon has grown into one of Africa’s leading road races, attracting thousands of elite and recreational runners from across the globe. Since its inception in 2016, the marathon has blended high-level competition with mass participation while promoting fitness, unity, and community engagement.
Despite early morning rainfall, the race commenced as scheduled, with elite 42-kilometre runners setting off at 6:30 a.m. from Orca Mall on Ahmadu Bello Way. The course wound through major parts of Lagos before culminating along the Atlantic coastline, where enthusiastic spectators gathered to cheer the finishers.
The marathon is also known for its substantial prize pool, including a winner’s purse historically set at $50,000. Organisers indicated that comprehensive results — including Nigerian champions and other podium finishers — will be released on official platforms.
Alongside the main event, a 10-kilometre fun run attracted fitness enthusiasts and amateur runners, adding to the celebratory atmosphere.
Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, described the Lagos City Marathon as one of the “cleanest races” hosted in the state and called for greater investment and collaboration to further elevate the event. He noted that the marathon aligns with the renewed optimism inspired by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Dikko also revealed that Works Minister Dave Umahi had initially expressed reservations about using the coastal highway route but acknowledged that the successful staging of the race highlighted the quality of infrastructure delivered.
Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat, emphasised the marathon’s global stature, stating, “When a global marathon is mentioned, Lagos is mentioned.” He encouraged greater youth participation, noting that national progress requires active involvement rather than passive criticism.
Hamzat also stressed that Nigerian athletes can compete at the highest level with proper training and support, highlighting the special award presented to the first Nigerian finisher as motivation for local talent.
Innocent Ike, Group Managing Director and CEO of Access Holdings Plc, reflected on the marathon’s growth over the past 11 years, describing its evolution as a dream realised. He reaffirmed the company’s commitment to promoting fitness and supporting the race.
Former marathon champion Paul Tega commended the athletes and organisers, noting that marathon running demands immense resilience. He congratulated the winners and praised the smooth execution of the event.
