The Digest:
Kenyan runner Ezra Kering emerged winner of the 2026 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon on February 14, clocking 2 hours, 11 minutes, and 55 seconds to claim the $50,000 prize money. Since its debut in 2016, the Gold Label race has been dominated by Kenyan and Ethiopian athletes. Here is the complete list of winners:
Key Points:
2016: Abraham Kiptum (Kenya) – 2:39:00
2017: Abraham Kiptum (Kenya) – new record
2018: Abraham Kiprotich (Kenya) – 2:13:00
2019: Sintayehu Legese (Ethiopia) – 2:17:28
2020: David Barmasai (Kenya) – 2:10:00
2021: Emmanuel Naibei (Kenya) – 2:15:04
2022: Ulfata Deresa (Ethiopia) – 2:11:54
2023: Edwin Kibet (Kenya) – 2:14:00
2024: Bernard Sang (Kenya) – 2:16:49
2025: Edwin Kibet (Kenya) – 2:14:00
2026: Ezra Kering (Kenya) – 2:11:55
The Lagos City Marathon has established itself as a premier African race, with Kenyan athletes maintaining overwhelming dominance since inception.
Sources: Vanguard, Access Bank Lagos City Marathon
