Lagos awaits international athletes for 10th Access Bank marathon

By Jude Opara, Abuja

Lagos state is now set to receive the first set of international athletes participating in the 10th Access Bank Lagos City Marathon as they are due to arrive in Nigeria on February 13.

This year’s edition, which is the 10th edition of the prestigious marathon, will feature about 4,000 international runners, alongside 100 elite athletes from across the globe.

The event which is scheduled for February 15, has been aptly themed “Love in the Air”, aligning with the Valentine’s Day celebrations.

Speaking on the upcoming marathon, Chief Executive Officer of Nilayo Sports Management, Mrs. Yetunde Olapade emphasized that meticulous planning has gone into making this edition memorable.

“We are thrilled to welcome athletes from Kenya, Ethiopia, Morocco, Eritrea, France, Uganda, Italy, and Ghana,” she said. “Lagos will be buzzing with energy, unity, and the spirit of competition on race day.”

Olapade also highlighted Lagos as a prime destination for sporting events, noting that while many parts of the world experience winter in February, Lagos remains a hub of warmth, vibrancy, and top-tier hospitality.

_*Pre-Race Events and 2024 Winners_*

The build-up to the main race has already commenced, with the first marathon expo kicking off at Teslim Balogun Stadium earlier this week

Reflecting on the 2024 edition, Kenyan runner Bernard Sang emerged victorious, completing the 42km marathon in 02:16:49. In the women’s category, Ethiopian athlete Kebene Chala secured the top spot, while Shehu Muazu, the fastest Nigerian finisher, took home a N1 million cash prize.

Kenyan dominance in the marathon has been evident over the years, with athletes from the country winning in 2016, 2017, 2020, and 2021. In last year’s edition, Kenyan runners Simon Cheprot and Edwin Kiptoo finished in second and third place, earning $40,000 and $30,000, respectively.