Kenya’s Ezra Kipchumba Kering delivered a composed and powerful run to win the 11th edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon on Saturday, clocking 2:11:55 over the demanding 42-kilometre course.
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Kering controlled the race from the early stages, showing remarkable endurance and tactical discipline as he surged past the finish line at Eko Atlantic, Victoria Island.
Although he fell short of the world-record time of 2:00:35 set by the late Kelvin Kiptum at the 2023 Chicago Marathon, organisers hailed his performance as a masterclass in focus and resilience.
The marathon, which flagged off at 6:30 a.m. from Orca Shopping Mall on Ahmadu Bello Way, Eko Atlantic City, drew elite runners from across the globe and once again transformed Lagos into a hub of international road racing.
Nigeria also had reasons to celebrate, as Boyi Nyango emerged as the fastest local runner in the men’s category, stopping the clock at 2:25:32. His effort drew praise from organisers, who proudly declared, “Naija no dey carry last.” .
In the women’s race, Ethiopia’s Meseret Dinke continued her impressive relationship with the Lagos marathon, winning in 2:37:36.
The victory marked the sixth consecutive edition in which an Ethiopian woman has claimed the title, underlining the country’s dominance in the event. Dinke, already a past champion in 2019 and 2021, once again proved her consistency and class on the Lagos streets.
Nigeria’s Deborah Badung also etched her name into the records as the first Nigerian woman to complete the marathon this year, finishing in 2:55:46.
Access Bank celebrated her achievement with glowing praise, describing her as a homegrown queen who earned her moment on the big stage.
Earlier, Access Bank had announced a lucrative prize structure for the competition, with winners in the elite men’s and women’s categories set to earn up to $50,000, while Nigerian elite athletes competed for cash prizes topping ₦2 million.
Meanwhile, excitement continues around the event as the 10-kilometre race, which started at Grace Garden Event Centre in Lekki and ends at Eko Atlantic, remains ongoing, adding to the colour and energy of another memorable Lagos City Marathon.
