Kenya’s Ezra Kipchumba Kerin emerged victorious at the 2026 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon on Saturday, completing the race in 2 hours, 11 minutes, and 55 seconds. Kerin broke away from a competitive elite field to deliver a commanding finish at Eko Atlantic City.
In the women’s category, Ethiopia’s Meseret Dinke claimed first place with a finishing time of 2 hours, 37 minutes, and 36 seconds, highlighting the continued dominance of East African athletes in long-distance road races. The results mirror last year’s outcomes, when Kenya’s Edwin Kibet and Ethiopia’s Guta Meseret Hirpa won the men’s and women’s races, respectively.
Now in its 11th edition, the Lagos City Marathon has become one of Africa’s premier road races, attracting thousands of participants from across the continent. The event blends elite competition with mass participation while promoting fitness, community engagement, and social cohesion.
Despite rainy conditions on Saturday, the marathon started early, with elite 42-kilometre runners beginning at 6:30 a.m. from Orca Mall along Ahmadu Bello Way. The course traversed major parts of Lagos before concluding along the Atlantic coastline, where spectators gathered to cheer on the finishers. The event also featured a 10-kilometre fun run, attracting recreational runners and fitness enthusiasts later in the morning.
Shehu Dikko, chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), praised the marathon as one of the “cleanest races” hosted in the state and called for further investment and collaboration to sustain its growth. Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat encouraged greater youth participation and highlighted opportunities for Nigerian athletes to challenge East African dominance, noting that a special award is given to the first Nigerian finisher to encourage local talent.
Innocent Ike, CEO of Access Holdings Plc, sponsors of the marathon, reflected on the event’s evolution over 11 years and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to promoting fitness within the Nigerian community. Former marathon champion Paul Tega also lauded both the competitors and organizers for a successful race.
