It’s all Kenyan affairs at this year’s edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon. The East Africans runners were the biggest winners as as Kenya’s Bernard Sang emerged the winner of the male category.
Sang, who came third last edition defeated other elite marathoners on Saturday morning to win the 42km race.
He finished the race at 2 hours, 16 minutes, and 49 seconds to claim the grand prize of $50,000.
He was followed closely by his compatriots Simon Cheprot with 2hrs:16: 53 secs and George Birgen with 2hrs: 17: 42 secs , who both finished second and third, respectively to go home with $40,000 and $30,000 respectively.
Meanwhile, 25-year-old Kebene Chala of Ethiopia was the first woman to cross the finish line in the female category. She will also be claiming $50,000 after achieving the feat in 2 hours 43 minutes and 32 seconds.
Chala was followed by Kenyans Margaret Agai who ran 2 hours 41 minutes 42 seconds to claim second and Chepop Sharon who ran 2 hours 41 minutes and 00 seconds to scooped third.
The winners of both the men’s and women’s races have now qualified for the marathon event at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
Shehu Muazu was the first Nigerian to cross the finish line and will be going home with a N1 million cash prize.
The 42km race which began at the National Stadium in Surulere and ended at the Eko Atlantic City in Victoria Island had over 80 elite runners participated.
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 when the event marks its ten years of existence.
