Kenya’s Ezra Kipchumba Kering captured the $50,000 top prize after claiming victory at the 11th edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon on Saturday. Kering completed the 2026 Gold Label race in 2:11:55, underscoring the marathon’s status as one of Africa’s most lucrative road events. The men’s competition was closely fought, with Uganda’s Lomoi Samuel challenging Kering until the final metres, finishing just four seconds behind in 2:11:59 to earn the $20,000 runner-up prize. Another Ugandan, Namutala Lumbasi, finished third in 2:12:25, taking home $15,000. Boyi Nyango was the first Nigerian finisher in the men’s race, recording a time of 2:25:32. In the women’s category, Ethiopia’s Dinke Meleka took the crown in 2:37:36, narrowly edging out Kenya’s Cheyech Daniel, who finished in 2:37:43, while Ethiopia’s Zewdalem Getaw placed third in 2:38:59. Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, representing Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, commended the organisers for sustaining the marathon’s global prominence. He reiterated the government’s commitment to the event, highlighting its current World Athletics Gold Label status and ambitions to achieve Platinum Label recognition. “We are happy to host one of the biggest marathons in the world. The Access Bank Lagos City Marathon is currently a Gold Label race, and we will do everything in our power to achieve the Platinum Label, the highest rank,” Hamzat said. Deborah Badung made history as the first Nigerian woman to complete this year’s race, finishing in 2:55:46. The marathon continues to combine elite competition with grassroots development and corporate investment in sports. Access Bank had previously outlined the elite prize structure, awarding $50,000 to winners in both men’s and women’s races, while Nigerian elite athletes compete for prizes ranging from N2 million for first place to N50,000 for tenth.
