Kenyan long-distance runner Ezra Kering on Saturday won the 2026 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon after breasting the tape in 2:11:55 to claim the $50,000 top prize.
Kering, 40, who also won gold at the 2025 Borobudur Marathon in Indonesia with a time of 2:17:27, shaved six seconds off his previous performance to secure victory in Lagos.
The men’s race produced a notable shift on the podium as Ugandan runners broke the traditional dominance of Kenyan and Ethiopian athletes by finishing second and third. Uganda’s Samuel Lomoi placed second in 2:11:59, while compatriot Namutala Lumbasi finished third in 2:12:25. They earned prize money of $40,000 and $30,000 respectively.
In the women’s category, Ethiopian runner Dinke Meleka emerged champion with a time of 2:37:36, securing her second major career win after previously triumphing at the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon in 2022. Kenya’s Cheyech Daniel finished second in 2:37:43, while another Ethiopian, Zewdalem Getaw, came third in 2:38:59.
The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat, who represented Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the event, commended the organisers and reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to supporting the marathon.
He described the race as one of the biggest marathons globally and expressed optimism that it would soon attain Platinum Label status, the highest classification for international road races. Hamzat added that the Lagos State Government would continue to invest in sports development and youth engagement through sustained support for the annual marathon.
