Kenya’s Ezra Kering Claims 2026 Lagos Marathon Title, Ethiopia’s Dinke Wins Women’s Race

photo credit: Channels Tv

Kenya’s Ezra Kipchumba Kering has won the 11th edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, completing the 42-kilometre race in 2:11:55 on Saturday.

Race organisers praised Kering’s performance as a display of “focus and endurance,” although his time fell short of the men’s world record of 2:00:35 set by Kelvin Kiptum at the 2023 Chicago Marathon.

The marathon flagged off at 6:30 a.m. from Orca Shopping Mall, Ahmadu Bello Way, Eko Atlantic City, and concluded at Eko Atlantic, Victoria Island, drawing elite runners from across the globe.

Among Nigerian athletes, Boyi Nyango emerged as the first local finisher in the men’s category, crossing the line in 2:25:32 to the cheers of spectators.

In the women’s race, Ethiopia’s Meseret Dinke claimed victory with a time of 2:37:36, continuing Ethiopia’s dominance in the Lagos marathon. Dinke, who previously won the race in 2019 and 2021, secured her third Lagos title and extended the streak of Ethiopian women winning the event to six consecutive years. Recent champions from Ethiopia include Guta Meseret Hirpa (2025), Kebene Chala (2024), Almenesh Herpa (2023), and Siranesh Yirga (2022).

Deborah Badung made history as the first Nigerian woman to finish this year’s marathon, posting a time of 2:55:46 in a performance widely celebrated by fans and organisers.

Prize money for the elite categories stands at $50,000 for first place, with rewards extending to eighth position. In the Nigerian elite division, the winner receives N2 million, with prizes descending to N50,000 for athletes placed between seventh and tenth.