Kenya, Ethiopia athletes triumph at Enugu international marathon

Athletes from Kenya and Ethiopia emerged as the biggest winners at the 2026 Enugu City International Marathon held on Saturday, taking the top prizes in the men’s and women’s 42-kilometre races.

The event attracted runners from different parts of Nigeria as well as other African countries.

The 10-kilometre and 42-kilometre races started from the Mgbemena area of Enugu and ended at the popular Michael Okpara Square in Independence Layout.

The competition brought together athletes who battled for honours across the different race categories as Enugu hosted another major international marathon event.

In the men’s 42-kilometre category, Kenya’s Edwin Kipyogo emerged winner, completing the race in two hours, 23 minutes and 38 seconds.

Kenya’s Edwin Kipyogo (centre) reacts after winning the men’s 42-kilometre category at the 2026 Enugu City International Marathon on August 29, 2026.

Ethiopia’s Habtamu Girma finished second in two hours, 23 minutes and 39 seconds, while his compatriot, Shiferaw Daltiemayo, placed third in two hours, 23 minutes and 41 seconds.

The top three winners received cash prizes of $15,000, $10,000 and $5,000 respectively.

In the women’s 42-kilometre category, Ethiopia’s Zennebe Aberu emerged winner with a time of two hours, 48 minutes and 40 seconds. Negashu Chatiu finished second in three hours, three minutes and 18 seconds, while Adugna Mahley placed third after completing the race in three hours, six minutes and 32 seconds.

Ethiopia’s Habtamu Girma (centre) reacts after winning the women’s 42-kilometre category at the 2026 Enugu City International Marathon on August 29, 2026

They also received cash prizes of $15,000, $10,000 and $5,000 respectively.

Meanwhile, Nigerian athletes dominated the 10-kilometre men’s category, with Gang Boyi, Davwi Gyany and Pam Joshua finishing first, second and third respectively.

An athlete receives assistance at the 2026 Enugu City International Marathon on August 29, 2026.

Speaking on the future of the marathon, the Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ossai, said the state government was committed to improving the standard of the event with each successive edition.

“Our Commissioner for Youth and Sports is already ready to keep improving on what we’ve done. You will agree with me that for each successive marathon we come for in Enugu, the standard improves.

“So, for me, as government, keeping the standard and ensuring the growth is important. For you being here, I want to congratulate you. I want to thank you for choosing Enugu as a place, and ask you to tell your friends.

“In the next edition, we want to see the number quadruple. We have to be awesome,” Ossai said.

Athletes participate in the 2026 Enugu City International Marathon on August 29, 2026.

The deputy governor also noted that the state government would continue to support the growth of the marathon, as part of efforts to promote sports, healthy living and tourism, while positioning Enugu as a destination for major international sporting events.

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