Kenyan runner Ezra Kipchumba Kering clinched the $50,000 top prize after winning the 11th edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon on Saturday

Kering finished the 2026 Gold Label race in 2:11:55, reinforcing the marathon’s reputation as one of Africa’s most lucrative road events.

The men’s race was fiercely contested, with Uganda’s Lomoi Samuel pushing Kering to the final stretch and finishing just four seconds behind in 2:11:59 to take the $20,000 runner-up prize. Another Ugandan, Namutala Lumbasi, secured third place in 2:12:25, earning $15,000.

Among Nigerian competitors, Boyi Nyango was the first local finisher in the men’s race with a time of 2:25:32.

In the women’s race, Ethiopia’s Dinke Meleka emerged victorious in 2:37:36, narrowly ahead of Kenya’s Cheyech Daniel (2:37:43) and Ethiopia’s Zewdalem Getaw (2:38:59).

Representing Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat praised the organisers for maintaining the marathon’s international status. He reiterated the state government’s support for the event, highlighting its World Athletics Gold Label status and the goal of achieving 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 finish this year’s marathon, clocking 2:55:46, as the event continues to combine elite competition with grassroots development and corporate investment in sports.

Access Bank had earlier outlined the prize structure for the elite category, offering $50,000 for winners in both the 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.

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