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Kenya’s Ezra Kering Wins Lagos City Marathon, 2026, Ethiopia’s Meseret Dinke Leads Women’s Race
Kenya’s Ezra Kipchumba Kering wins the 11th edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon on Saturday, completing the 42km race in 2:11:55. Access Bank states Kering “delivers a masterclass in focus and endurance,” though he does not break the fastest official marathon record of 2:00:35, set by Kelvin Kiptum at the 2023 Chicago Marathon.
The race starts at Orca Shopping Mall, Ahmadu Bello Way, Eko Atlantic City, and finishes at Eko Atlantic, Victoria Island, Lagos, with a 6:30 a.m. flag-off. Among Nigerian athletes, Boyi Nyango crosses the finish line first in the men’s category with 2:25:32. Organizers celebrate, saying, “Naija no dey carry last.”
In the women’s category, Ethiopia’s Meseret Dinke finishes first with 2:37:36. Access Bank praises her as “a seasoned champion who adds another medal today.” This marks the sixth consecutive year an Ethiopian woman wins the race. Dinke previously wins in 2019 (2:48:02) and 2021 (2:28:51), demonstrating consistent dominance. Other recent Ethiopian winners include Guta Meseret Hirpa (2025), Kebene Chala (2024), Almenesh Herpa (2023), and Siranesh Yirga (2022).
Deborah Badung makes history as the first Nigerian woman to finish this year’s marathon, completing 2:55:46. Access Bank celebrates, saying, “Lagos, stand up. Our queen is home.”
Prizes for elite categories offer $50,000 for first place, with descending amounts to eighth place. Nigerian elites receive N2,000,000 for first, decreasing to N50,000 for seventh to tenth positions.
Meanwhile, the 10km race starts at Grace Garden Event Centre, Lekki, finishing at Eko Atlantic, Victoria Island, Lagos, with a 9:30 a.m. flag-off and is currently ongoing.
