Kenya, Ethiopia extend dominance at Lagos City Marathon
East African supremacy continued at the Lagos City Marathon as Kenyan and Ethiopian runners topped the men’s and women’s 2026 races. Kenya’s Ezra Kipchumba Kerin showcased exceptional stamina on Saturday, clinching victory at the 2026 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon with a remarkable finishing time of 2 hours, 11 minutes, and 55 seconds.
On Saturday, Kerin pulled away from a strong elite field, combining strategy and composure to deliver a commanding finish at Eko Atlantic City. In the women’s category, Ethiopia’s Meseret Dinke claimed first place, completing the race in 2 hours, 37 minutes, and 36 seconds. Their triumph underscores the ongoing dominance of East African athletes, especially Kenyans and Ethiopians, who have long been a force in the Lagos Marathon and major road races worldwide.
The results mirror last year’s outcome, when Kenya’s Edwin Kibet won the men’s race and Ethiopia’s Guta Meseret Hirpa claimed the women’s title. Now in its 11th edition, the Lagos City Marathon has cemented its place as one of Africa’s premier road races, attracting thousands of runners from across the continent and beyond. Since its launch in 2016, the event has combined elite competition with mass participation, while promoting fitness, community engagement, and social unity.
Despite rainy conditions on Saturday morning, the marathon kicked off early, with the elite 42-kilometre runners starting at 6:30 a.m. from Orca Mall along Ahmadu Bello Way. The course weaved through key parts of Lagos before finishing along the Atlantic coastline, where large crowds gathered to cheer on the finishers. The Lagos City Marathon is also renowned for its generous prize fund, with top athletes competing for substantial rewards, including a winner’s purse historically pegged at $50,000. Officials noted that full results — covering the women’s category, Nigerian champions, and all podium finishers — would be published on the marathon’s official platforms.
In addition to the main race, the event featured a 10-kilometre fun run, drawing recreational runners and fitness enthusiasts later in the morning.
