Organisers of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon are waiting on the World Athletics to deliver the rating of the 10th edition of the race which was held on Saturday, as they hope to become the first marathon in Africa to get a platinum label.
Kenya’s Edwin Kibet won the 2025 marathon with an improved time of 2:14:19, carting home the grand prize of $50,000.
The Kenyans did a 1-3 finish in the men’s 42km of the marathon as Kibet was followed in second place by Kipyegon Hehemiah in a time of 2:16:37 while last year’s winner Bernard Sang crossed the line in 2:16:49 for third place.
Ethiopia’s Guta Hirpa also became the new winner in the women’s 42km race, inspiring an Ethiopian 1-2 finish.
Hirpa got to the line in a time of 2:37:04, followed by her compatriot Aleminesh Herpha in second in a time of 2:38:01:39, while Kenya’s Jerono Peris was third also in 2:38:01:39.
Though, the organisers were targeting a finish of two hours and 10 minutes in Saturday’s race, the General Manager of the race, Yusuf Ali said he is hopeful the outcome will be enough to clinch the platinum label.
“Our target was for any of the elite athlete to finish the race at 2hrs: 10minutes, which is one of the major criteria to get the Platinum Label. I know that all other requirements for the label have been fulfilled by the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon and we are hoping to be the first in Africa to achieve the Platinum,. We are expecting confirmation from World Athletics very soon” Ali stated.
The Managing Director/CEO of Nilayo Sports Management Limited, Mrs. Yetunde Olopade, was full of praises for the sponsor, Access Bank, as well as Lagos State government for their support.
Meanwhile, Nyango Boyi emerged the men’s winner in the Nigerian category in a time of 2:25:41:58.
Apart from winning N2m as the first Nigerian to cross the line, Boyi also won $4,000 for finishing eighth overall.
Blessing Solomon emerged winner in the women’s category of Nigerian runners, while Elizabeth Power and Patience Mwanvwang finished second and third respectively.
Like Boyi, Solomon got N2m for her effort.
