Ezra Kering claims victory at Lagos City Marathon
Kenyan athlete Ezra Kipchumba Kering won the 11th edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, completing the 42km race in 2:11:55. Meseret Dinke of Ethiopia finished first in the women’s category, continuing a streak of Ethiopian wins. Boyi Nyango was the fastest Nigerian male finisher, while Deborah Badung made history as the first Nigerian woman to finish this year. The marathon featured strong performances and notable prize rewards for top finishers.
Match highlights
- Ezra Kipchumba Kering won the men’s race, finishing in 2:11:55, but did not break the record set by Kelvin Kiptum at the 2023 Chicago Marathon.
- Meseret Dinke claimed victory in the women’s category with a time of 2:37:36 and has previously won in 2019 and 2021.
- Other recent Ethiopian winners include Guta Meseret Hirpa (2025), Kebene Chala (2024), Almenesh Herpa (2023), and Siranesh Yirga (2022).
- Boyi Nyango was the first Nigerian man to finish, clocking 2:25:32, while Deborah Badung was the first Nigerian woman, finishing in 2:55:46.
- Prize money for elite runners ranged from $50,000 for first place to $4,000 for eighth, with Nigerian elite athletes also receiving cash rewards.
