Running News Daily

The streets of Lagos pulsed with energy on Saturday morning as thousands lined the route of the 11th edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, but it was Kenya’s Ezra Kipchumba Kering who ultimately silenced the noise with a commanding performance over 42 gruelling kilometres. Running with poise and tactical precision, Kering surged to victory in 2:11:55, mastering the humid coastal conditions to etch his name into the race’s growing legacy.

The marathon commenced at Orca Shopping Mall along Ahmadu Bello Way in Eko Atlantic City with a sharp 6:30 a.m. flag-off, the first light of dawn casting long shadows over the elite field. From the outset, the tempo was uncompromising. Kering settled into a disciplined rhythm before asserting control in the decisive stages, separating himself from the pack and striding confidently toward the finish line at Eko Atlantic, Victoria Island. His triumph reaffirmed Kenya’s enduring strength in the global marathon scene.

While the international stars dominated the podium, Nigeria celebrated its own heroics through Boyi Nyango, who emerged as the first Nigerian man across the line. Clocking 2:25:32, Nyango delivered a spirited performance that ignited home support and underscored the nation’s growing distance-running ambitions.

In the women’s contest, Ethiopia’s Meseret Dinke once again demonstrated why Lagos has become familiar territory. She crossed the finish line in 2:37:36, securing victory with composed authority. Her latest win not only adds another chapter to her personal success story but also extends Ethiopia’s remarkable dominance in the women’s race — now six consecutive editions claimed by Ethiopian athletes.

Dinke’s relationship with Lagos is one of sustained excellence. She previously captured the title in 2019 with a time of 2:48:02 and returned triumphantly in 2021, elevating her performance to 2:28:51. Her consistency over the years highlights both resilience and mastery of the course. Other recent Ethiopian champions have kept that tradition alive, building an unbroken chain of success that continues to define the women’s narrative in the city.

Fittingly, this year’s marathon unfolded on Valentine’s weekend, adding a poetic layer to the spectacle. While much of the world exchanged roses and heartfelt promises, Lagos embraced a different kind of romance — the fierce love for competition, the rhythm of pounding footsteps against asphalt, and the silent vows athletes make to themselves at the start line. Along the shimmering coastline of Eko Atlantic, it was not candlelight dinners that captured hearts, but courage, endurance, and the raw beauty of human determination — a reminder that passion, in its purest form, often reveals itself on the road to greatness.