.Kenya’s Kering wins title, $50,000

MARATHON runners from Nigeria and beyond are counting their gains from the 11th edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, which took place on Saturday, 14 February.
Kenya’s Kering Kipchumba won the men’s title in the 42km race and went home with the sum of $50,000.
Kering crossed the finish line on Valentine’s Day at Eko Atlantic City in a time of 2:11:55, clinching the $50,000 top prize in one of Africa’s biggest road races.

The 40-year-old, 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.
Uganda dominated the other spots with Lomoi Samuel finishing a close second in 2:11:59, while Namutala Kephar Lumbasi secured third place in 2:12:25, capping off a fiercely competitive men’s race.
The Gold Label marathon is organised by Nilayo Sports Management Limited, under the leadership of Managing Director Mrs Yetunde Olopade.
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.
Speaking with The Guardian soon after the race, Kering said: “It is a great honour to be part of this event.

The Access Bank Lagos City Marathon is one of the biggest events in Africa, and coming to Nigeria to win the title is a great achievement.”
Ethiopia’s Meleka, who won the women’s title, said: “I will forever remember this day in my athletics career. The road was so smooth, and the weather was perfect today, maybe due to the heavy rain last night. I thank the organisers for this great show.”
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.
“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.
  
Project Manager, Seyi Johnson, commended the athletes and Nigerians for their cooperation throughout the race.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government said yesterday that it is investigating an incident that occurred during the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon.
Near the finishing line area, an ambulance deployed as part of the official medical emergency response was involved in an accident when a female non-athlete within the event arena came into contact with the vehicle while it was conveying athletes who had earlier required medical attention.
Officials on the ground immediately alerted the ambulance crew to stop, and the emergency medical team swiftly assessed the situation.

The woman, who sustained bruises and complained of chest pains, was stabilised at the scene before being transferred to a public health facility for further evaluation.
She is said to be stable and responding positively to treatment.
Senior government officials from the Ministry of Health and the Sports Commission have since visited the hospital to monitor her condition.
Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso, said: “The patient is stable and under close professional supervision. A thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident is underway.”
The 2026 event took place on a new Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road.