Kenyan and Ethiopian Runners Dominate Lagos City Marathon Again as Nigerian Athlete Makes History
The 2025 edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon has once again been dominated by East African runners, as Kenyan and Ethiopian athletes claimed the top spots in the prestigious 42km race. Kenya’s Edwin Kibet emerged victorious in the men’s category, clocking an impressive time of 2:14:06 to secure the $50,000 prize money. The victory marks Kibet’s second win in the competition, adding to his triumph in the 2023 edition. His performance this year was an improvement from last year when he finished third behind compatriot Bernard Sang, who won the 2024 race with a time of 02:16:49, and another Kenyan runner, Alex Cheprot, who took second place.
In the women’s category, Ethiopia’s Guta Meseret Hirpa made a remarkable debut victory, crossing the finish line with a time of 2:37:04. Her dominance further solidifies Ethiopia’s long-standing reputation in long-distance racing, adding to the list of East African athletes who have consistently excelled in the Lagos City Marathon.
While the race was largely controlled by foreign runners, Nigerian athlete Nyango Gyang Boyi made history by becoming the first Nigerian to finish within the top 10 positions. Boyi, who finished in 8th place, completed the marathon in an impressive time of 2:25:41.58, earning him a cash prize of $4,000. His achievement was not just a personal milestone but also a moment of pride for Nigeria, as he secured the N2 million top prize in the Nigerian category. His exceptional performance highlights the growing potential of Nigerian long-distance runners in an event that has traditionally been dominated by elite East African athletes.
The marathon, which continues to attract thousands of participants from across the globe, commenced at Western Avenue in front of the National Stadium in Surulere and concluded at Eko Atlantic City in Victoria Island. Among the notable figures who took part in the marathon was the governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, further emphasizing the importance of the event as a key sporting and cultural attraction in Nigeria.
Since its inception, the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon has rapidly gained international recognition, earning a gold label from World Athletics in 2023—an achievement reached in less than eight years since the first edition. The event has not only placed Lagos on the global athletics map but has also contributed to the growing popularity of marathon running in Nigeria. With increasing local participation and Nigerian runners gradually improving their performances, there is hope that more homegrown athletes will rise to challenge the East African dominance in future editions.
As the Lagos City Marathon continues to grow in stature, organizers and athletics stakeholders are looking to build on this momentum by fostering the development of long-distance running in Nigeria. Training programs, sponsorships, and strategic partnerships are expected to play a critical role in bridging the competitive gap between Nigerian runners and their East African counterparts.
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