Kenyan athlete Koros Ken has emerged victorious in the first-ever Enugu City International Marathon, taking home a grand prize of $15,000. It was a dominant showing by Kenyan runners, who swept the podium in both the male and female categories.
According to World Athletics, Ken Koros has recorded personal bests of 9:12.6 in the 3000m steeplechase (achieved in March 2012) and 30:12 in the 10km road race (achieved in June 2007).
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These times suggest that he has been active in competitive running for over a decade, although he has not been widely recognized on the international stage until this recent victory.
Fellow Kenyans Steve Rasway and Bernard Sang clinched second and third place respectively, earning $10,000 and $5,000 in prize money.
In the women’s category, Kenya continued its dominance with Shauline Chepkiru Koech claiming the top spot.
Among Nigerian participants, Davou Ezekiel from Jos stood out as the fastest homegrown runner, earning the N3 million prize reserved for the top-performing indigenous athlete.
The marathon exceeded expectations with impressive turnout, electrifying atmosphere, and a high level of organization, earning it praise as a world-class event. Over 100 international elite athletes participated alongside thousands of Nigerian runners, making the debut edition a historic success.
Governor Peter Mbah, who personally ran in the 10km race, lauded the event for its unifying power and promised even greater support for future editions.
“This race has shown us the power of sports and what it can do in galvanizing our youth. I am truly impressed with what I’ve seen, and we are motivated to make it even bigger next year,” the governor said.
The Enugu City International Marathon has not only set a high standard for road races in Nigeria but has also positioned Enugu as a rising hub for international sporting events.
