Kenyan runner, Ezra Kering, on Saturday breasted the tape in a time of 2:11:55 to emerge winner of the 2026 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon to clinch the $50,000 prize money.

The 40-year-old Kering, a gold medallist at the 2025 Borobudur Marathon in Indonesia with a time of 2:17:27, improved on his previous timing by six seconds.

Another twist was added in the men’s category as Ugandan runners displaced their East African rivals for the first time in the history of the race.

They finished in second and third positions—spots that had previously been dominated by athletes from Kenya and Ethiopia.

Ugandan Lomoi Samuel clocked 2:11:59 to win the second prize, while his compatriot, Namutala Lumbasi, finished third in 2:12:25 in the men’s category, earning $40,000 and $30,000 respectively.

In the women’s category, Ethiopian Dinke Meleka breasted the tape in 2:37:36 to emerge champion for the second time in her career, having previously won the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon in 2022 with a time of 2:24:04.

Kenyan Cheyech Daniel finished second in 2:37:43, while another Ethiopian, Zewdalem Getaw, placed third in 2:38:59.

The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat, who represented Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, commended the organisers, adding that the state government would not relent in supporting the race.

He said, “This is our competition and our race. We are happy to host one of the biggest marathons in the world. Probably there are not more than seven marathon races bigger than the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, which is on the Gold Label.

“By the grace of God, we will also achieve the Platinum Label, which is the highest. We will do everything in our power to continue to support sports in Lagos and be at the forefront of youth engagement.

“Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is doing everything possible to ensure that the youth get the right attention, and we are open about it. Our phone numbers are in the public domain for any support.”

(NAN)