Thousands of runners turned out across Lagos on Saturday as the 11th edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon brought the city to life in one of Africa’s most anticipated road‑racing events.
Despite early morning rain, the marathon got off to an energetic start at 6:30 a.m., with the elite 42‑kilometre field flagging off from Orca Mall along Ahmadu Bello Way on Victoria Island and weaving through Lagos’s expansive urban landscape before finishing along the Atlantic coastline in Eko Atlantic City.
A separate 10km race began later at Lekki’s Grace Garden Event Centre, also finishing by the Atlantic, as packed crowds lined the route to cheer on participants.
This year’s edition, now firmly established as a World Athletics Gold Label road race, a distinction held by only a select group of elite marathons globally — drew a strong field of international competitors alongside local talent.
Organisers and officials had said the race would feature a total prize purse of around $250,000 for the elite 42km category, with winners in both men’s and women’s races earning $50,000.
In the men’s elite event, Kenya’s Ezra Kipchumba Kering delivered a composed and powerful performance to take victory in 2:11:55, claiming the top prize in a tightly contested finish. He was chased hard by Uganda’s Lomoi Samuel, who crossed the line just four seconds behind in 2:11:59, and compatriot Namutala Lumbasi, who secured third in 2:12:25.
Among local competitors, Boyi Solomon Nyango was the first Nigerian man home, finishing in 2:25:32 — a performance organisers celebrated as a strong showing from the host nation’s runners.
In the women’s race, Meseret Dinke of Ethiopia held off a close challenge to finish first in 2:37:36, adding another title to her marathon résumé. Kenyan runner Cheyech Daniel finished a tight second in 2:37:43, with Ethiopia’s Zewdalem Getaw in third.
The marathon also showcased local achievements: Deborah Badung became the first Nigerian woman to finish this year’s race, completing the course in 2:55:46 to applause from the crowd.
Organisers described the 2026 marathon as more than just a race; it has grown into a major sporting and social event that highlights Lagos’s place on the global athletics map. The Managing Director of Nilayo Sports Management Limited, the event organisers, said the 11th edition symbolised growth and ambition for the race as it moves into a new decade.
The marathon has grown significantly since its launch in 2016, developing from a local road race into a fixture that attracts elite athletes from across Africa and beyond, while also promoting fitness, community engagement, and sports tourism. Its Gold Label status reflects high standards in organisation and competition.
Traffic and logistics teams from the Lagos State Government were deployed across the city early Saturday, closing key roads for up to 12 hours to ensure runner safety and minimise disruption as the marathon unfolded. Officials advised motorists to plan travel accordingly, with LASTMA and security agencies managing diversions along the race corridor.
For Lagos and its running community, the marathon remains a celebration of endurance, preparation and collective spirit, a day when months of training and anticipation converge on city streets and finish‑line cheers, as runners of all backgrounds pursue personal bests and make history in Africa’s premier road race.