Kenyan long-distance runner Ezra Kering clinched victory at the 2026 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon on Saturday, crossing the finish line in 2:11:55 to secure the $50,000 top prize.
The 40-year-old delivered a decisive late surge in Lagos, shaving six seconds off his previous personal best. He arrived in Nigeria in strong form following a successful 2025 campaign, highlighted by his gold-medal performance at the Borobudur Marathon in Indonesia, where he posted a time of 2:17:27.
In a post-race statement, Access Bank described Kering’s run as “a masterclass in focus and endurance.” However, his time fell short of the world’s fastest officially recorded marathon mark of 2:00:35, set by Kelvin Kiptum at the Chicago Marathon.
The men’s race also witnessed a notable shift in the competition’s traditional hierarchy, as Ugandan athletes disrupted the long-standing dominance of Kenya and Ethiopia in Lagos. Lomoi Samuel of Uganda placed second in 2:11:59, narrowly behind Kering, while compatriot Namutala Lumbasi finished third in 2:12:25.
The podium finish marked a significant milestone for Uganda at the Lagos marathon, with Samuel and Lumbasi earning prize money of $40,000 and $30,000 respectively.
The 2026 edition began at Orca Shopping Mall, Ahmadu Bello Way, Eko Atlantic City, with the race officially flagged off at 6:30 a.m. The marathon concluded at Eko Atlantic, Victoria Island, Lagos, following the traditional route through key parts of the city.
In the women’s category, Ethiopian runner Dinke Meleka claimed the title after clocking 2:37:36, securing the Lagos crown for the second time in her career. Meleka had previously won the 2022 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon in 2:24:04, further underlining her pedigree on the international circuit.
Kenyan Cheyech Daniel finished second in 2:37:43, while Ethiopia’s Zewdalem Getaw took third place in 2:38:59. The women’s event continued Ethiopia’s recent dominance, following past winners such as Guta Meseret Hirpa (2025, 2:37:04), Kebene Chala (2024, 2:43:32), Almenesh Herpa (2023, 2:40:42), and Siranesh Yirga (2022, 2:33:54).
Among Nigerian athletes, Boyi Nyango led the home challenge in the men’s race, finishing as the first Nigerian across the line with a time of 2:25:32.
“Naija no dey carry last,” the organisers said, celebrating Nyango’s performance.
Deborah Badung also delivered a landmark moment in the women’s race, emerging as the first Nigerian woman to complete the marathon this year, crossing the line in 2:55:46. Access Bank praised her achievement, saying, “Lagos, stand up. Our queen is home.”
Access Bank had earlier announced a structured prize system for elite runners, stating that “the first position will receive $50,000, second $20,000, third $15,000, fourth $12,000, fifth $10,000, sixth $8,000, seventh $6,000 and eighth $4,000.”
For Nigerian elite athletes, the bank also disclosed that “the first position will receive N2,000,000, second N1,500,000, third N1,000,000, fourth N500,000, fifth N200,000, sixth N100,000, while seventh to tenth positions will receive N50,000 each.”
Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat, who represented Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the event, commended the organisers and reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to sustaining the marathon and growing it to the highest global standard.
“This is our competition and our race. We are happy to host one of the biggest marathons in the world. Probably there are not more than seven marathon races bigger than the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, which is on the Gold Label. By the grace of God, we will also achieve the Platinum Label, which is the highest. We will do everything in our power to continue to support sports in Lagos and be at the forefront of youth engagement. Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu is doing everything possible to ensure that the youths get the right attention, and we are open about it. Our phone numbers are in the public domain for any support,” he said.
