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Photos: Meet Kenya’s Ezra Kipchumba Kering, Winner of Lagos City Marathon

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3 hours ago

February 14, 2026

Kenya’s Ezra Kipchumba Kering has emerged as the winner of the Lagos City Marathon.

NewsRain Nigeria reports that Kenya’s Ezra Kipchumba Kering emerged winner of the 11th edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon on Saturday, 14 February.

According to a statement by Access Bank, Kering “delivered a masterclass in focus and endurance,” though he was unable to break the fastest officially recorded marathon time of 2:00:35, set by “Kelvin Kiptum of Kenya at the 2023 Chicago Marathon.”

The race started at Orca Shopping Mall, Ahmadu Bello Way, Eko Atlantic City, and finished at Eko Atlantic, Victoria Island, Lagos, with a 6:30 a.m. flag-off.

READ ALSO: Access Holdings Launches Fitness Campaign Ahead Of 2026 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon

Among Nigerian athletes, Boyi Nyango was the first to cross the finish line in the men’s category, clocking 2:25:32.

“Naija no dey carry last,” the organisers said, highlighting Nyango’s strong performance.

In the women’s category, Ethiopia’s Meseret Dinke finished first with 2:37:36.

“A seasoned champion, she adds another medal to her collection today,” Access Bank stated.

This marks the sixth consecutive edition in which an Ethiopian woman has won the race.

Dinke has also won the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon in 2019, clocking 2:48:02, and in 2021, finishing in 2:28:51, underlining her consistency and dominance in the event.

Deborah Badung also made history as the first Nigerian woman to finish the marathon this year, completing the course in 2:55:46. Access Bank praised her effort, saying, “Lagos, stand up. Our queen is home.”

Recall that Access Bank had earlier announced that in the elite category for men and women, ‘the first position will receive $50,000, second $20,000, third $15,000, fourth $12,000, fifth $10,000, sixth $8,000, seventh $6,000, and eighth $4,000.”

For Nigerian elite athletes, the bank added, “the first position will receive N2,000,000, second N1,500,000, third N1,000,000, fourth N500,000, fifth N200,000, sixth N100,000, while seventh to tenth positions will receive N50,000 each.”