Kenyan runner Ezra Kering triumphs at 2026 Lagos City Marathon

Kenya’s Ezra Kipchumba Kering clinched victory at the 11th Access Bank Lagos City Marathon on Saturday, finishing the 42km race in 2 hours, 11 minutes, and 55 seconds.

Access Bank, in a statement, described Kering’s performance as “a masterclass in focus and endurance,” though he fell short of breaking the fastest officially recorded marathon time of 2:00:35, set by Kelvin Kiptum of Kenya at the 2023 Chicago Marathon.

The race started at Orca Shopping Mall, Ahmadu Bello Way, Eko Atlantic City, and finished at Eko Atlantic, Victoria Island, Lagos, with a 6:30 a.m. flag-off.

Among Nigerian athletes, Boyi Nyango was the first to cross the finish line in the men’s category, clocking 2:25:32.

“Naija no dey carry last,” the organisers said, highlighting Nyango’s strong performance.

“A seasoned champion, she adds another medal to her collection today,” Access Bank stated.

This marks the sixth consecutive edition in which an Ethiopian woman has won the race.

Dinke has also won the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon in 2019, clocking 2:48:02, and in 2021, finishing in 2:28:51, underlining her consistency and dominance in the event

Other recent Ethiopian winners include Guta Meseret Hirpa (2025, 2:37:04), Kebene Chala (2024, 2:43:32), Almenesh Herpa (2023, 2:40:42), and Siranesh Yirga (2022, 2:33:54).

Deborah Badung also made history as the first Nigerian woman to finish the marathon this year, completing the course in 2:55:46. Access Bank praised her effort, saying, “Lagos, stand up. Our queen is home.”

Access Bank had earlier announced that in the elite category for men and women, ‘the first position will receive $50,000, second $20,000, third $15,000, fourth $12,000, fifth $10,000, sixth $8,000, seventh $6,000 and eighth $4,000.”

For Nigerian elite athletes, the bank added, “the first position will receive N2,000,000, second N1,500,000, third N1,000,000, fourth N500,000, fifth N200,000, sixth N100,000, while seventh to tenth positions will receive N50,000 each.”

The 10km race, which started at Grace Garden Event Centre, Lekki, and finishes at Eko Atlantic, Victoria Island, Lagos, with a 9:30 a.m. flag-off, is currently ongoing.

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