East African supremacy continued at the 2026 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, as Kenyan and Ethiopian runners claimed top honours in both the men’s and women’s races.
Kenya’s Ezra Kipchumba Kerin delivered a commanding performance on Saturday, winning the 2026 edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon in 2 hours, 11 minutes, and 55 seconds.
Kerin broke away from a competitive elite field, combining tactical discipline and endurance to secure victory at Eko Atlantic City. Despite rainy morning conditions, the Kenyan runner maintained composure to finish strongly along the Atlantic coastline.
In the women’s race, Ethiopia’s Meseret Dinke crossed the finish line first with a time of 2 hours, 37 minutes, and 36 seconds.
Her victory further reinforces the long-standing dominance of East African athletes in global road racing competitions.
The results mirror the 2025 edition, when Kenya’s Edwin Kibet and Ethiopia’s Guta Meseret Hirpa claimed the men’s and women’s titles respectively.
Now in its 11th edition, the Lagos City Marathon has cemented its reputation as one of Africa’s leading road races. Since its launch in 2016, the event has combined elite athletic competition with mass participation, promoting fitness, unity, and community engagement.
The elite 42-kilometre race began at 6:30 a.m. from Orca Mall along Ahmadu Bello Way. The course wound through major parts of Lagos before concluding at Eko Atlantic City, where spectators gathered in large numbers.
The marathon, sponsored by Access Holdings Plc, is also known for its generous prize structure. Winners historically compete for a $50,000 purse, making it one of the most lucrative road races on the continent.
Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, described the race as one of the “cleanest” events hosted in the state and called for greater investment and collaboration to expand its impact. He noted that the marathon aligns with the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat said the marathon continues to elevate Lagos’ global sporting profile.
“When a global marathon is mentioned, Lagos is mentioned,” Hamzat said, while encouraging increased youth participation and improved training systems to help Nigerian athletes compete more effectively on the world stage.
A special award was again presented to the first Nigerian finisher to encourage homegrown marathon talent.
Group Managing Director and CEO of Access Holdings Plc, Innocent Ike, reflected on the marathon’s evolution over 11 years and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to promoting fitness nationwide.
Former marathon champion Paul Tega commended the runners and organisers, describing the race as a demanding test of endurance and resilience.
In addition to the main race, a 10-kilometre fun run attracted recreational runners and fitness enthusiasts, further highlighting the event’s blend of elite sport and community participation.
Full official results, including podium finishers and Nigerian champions, are expected to be published on the marathon’s official platforms.
