The weather condition at 9th edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon which was held on Saturday in Lagos had a big impact on the race.
One of the biggest road races in Africa, the Lagos Marathon prides itself as one of the most sought after road events for elite runners across the world .
Last year, the marathon was upgraded by the world athletics body to a gold label; less than eight years after its maiden edition. The organisers are now hoping to secure a Platinum Label status by next edition.
With about 88 elite athletes from 18 countries and 15 refugee runners which participated in thia year’s edition, the event as usual attracted thousands of runners across the world.
Speaking to Journalists on Saturday in Lagos, the Technical Director of the Race, Yusuf Alli said that the weather condition was not favorable to the athletes and organisers will think about changing the date for the event in the nearest future.
According to timeanddate.com, the average temperature in Lagos on Saturday was 30° C while the humidity averages 80%. The lowest of the humidity was within the range of 50%.
“This year’s weather wasn’t ideal, so we’re considering changing the marathon date,” Alli told Journalist
According to runnersworld, relative humidity doesn’t become a factor until it reaches about 40%—below that, anything below that hands a runner has a comfortable run while anything above that could impact performance.
Commentators also suggest that the weather condition might have also rubbed the marathon an opportunity to produce a new record.
The eventual winner, Sang had an effortless run to clinch the title at 2.16.15. It was six minutes late for the course record of 2.10.23secs held by David Barmasai of Kenya since 2020.
The 2023 winner, Edwin Kobet had also won the race in 2.14:06 seconds- two minutes difference between him and this year’s winner.
For Sang, who had finished third last year also noted that the weather was very hot on Saturday.
“It’s very hot in Lagos, in Kenya it’s cold.It is difficult to run under such conditions, but next year I would be around to give it another try.”
Margaret Agai, the Second place woman, who is a first timer in the Lagos City Marathon also said the weather was not favourable.