The Access Bank Lagos City Marathon has received a major boost in its ambitious drive to attain the coveted World Athletics Platinum Label, following renewed backing from the Lagos State Government, the National Sports Commission (NSC) and title sponsor Access Bank.
Only a handful of the world’s most prestigious marathons currently hold Platinum status, and stakeholders insist Lagos is firmly on course to join that elite group.
Director-General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu, said the 2026 edition further projected Lagos as a global sports and tourism destination.
The race featured a new course, running through the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Road corridor and finishing at Eko Atlantic City, reinforcing Lagos’ capacity to host world-class sporting events.
Managing Director of Access Bank Group, Innocent Ike, described the Platinum Label target as the natural next step in a journey that began over a decade ago.
“This started with a vision for excellence,” Ike said.
“We are taking deliberate steps, improving structure, credibility, and international appeal, to ensure we don’t just participate in the global conversation but lead it.”
The 11th edition of the marathon in 2026 attracted approximately 42,000 runners, a record turnout that organisers and regulators say underlines the race’s growing global appeal.
‘One of the Cleanest Races in Africa’ – Shehu Dikko
Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, said the numbers reflect a rapidly expanding sports economy around the marathon.
Dikko revealed that World Athletics officials have already praised the event.
“That’s the ambition (Platinum Label status), this year, about 42,000 people registered for the race,” Dikko said.
He added that World Athletics representatives have lauded the Lagos City Marathon as one of the “cleanest and best-organised” road races in Africa, describing Platinum Label status as a shared goal of all stakeholders.
Lagos Government: Youth Development Over Short-Term Glory
Lagos State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, stressed that the marathon is central to the state’s long-term youth and sports development agenda.
Beyond the $50,000 top prize for international elite winners, Hamzat said the government is focused on building sustainable pathways for young Lagosians.
“If you look at this game, if you look at the cost of which was used, it is giving the game a facelift, an uplift,” he said.
“We have a group of young Lagosians, young Nigerians, that is capable in different types of sports.”
“Train them well, build them up and elevate them for the future.”
He cautioned that the impact would not be immediate.
“So that is the essence for Lagos. We might not see the effect this year plus next year, but in five, six years’ time, we will start to see the effect,” Hamzat added.
“We are building them from the ground up, getting everybody involved.”
Sanwo-Olu: From Grassroots to Global Stage
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, speaking through Hamzat, reiterated the state’s long-term strategy.
“The focus of the state is to nurture homegrown athletes through deliberate investment in youth development, instead of shopping for ready-made talents,” the governor said.
He confirmed that the Lagos City Marathon currently holds a World Athletics Gold Label and that active steps are being taken toward the Platinum standard, the highest classification for road races globally.
Sanwo-Olu also challenged Nigerian youths to move from being “complainants” to “participants,” urging them to embrace sports and other productive pursuits.
East Africans Dominate But Nigerians Close the Gap
The Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, over the years, has grown significantly in scale and prestige, attracting increased corporate sponsorship, a larger pool of elite and recreational runners, and rising interest from spectators and athletics enthusiasts.
Kenyan athletes have dominated the men’s race, winning nine of the last eleven editions, including the most recent 2026 race.
The 2026 race was once again dominated by East African runners.
On Saturday, 14 February 2026, Kenyan runner Ezra Kering breasted the tape in 2:11:55 to win the 11th edition of the marathon and claim the $50,000 top prize.
Men’s Winners – Lagos City Marathon (2016–2026)
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2016: Abraham Kiptum – 2:39:00
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2017: Abraham Kiptum – Defended title, set a new course record
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2018: Abraham Kiprotich – 2:13:00
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2019: Sintayehu Legese – 2:17:28
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2020: David Barmasai – 2:10:00
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2021: Emmanuel Naibei – 2:15:04
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2022: Ulfata Deresa – 2:11:54
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2023: Edwin Kibet – 2:14:00
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2024: Bernard Sang – 2:16:49
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2025: Edwin Kibet – 2:14:00
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2026: Ezra Kering – 2:11:55
However, organisers point to the rise of local athletes such as Boyi Nyango (2:25:32) as evidence that the performance gap is steadily narrowing.
Who Is Boyi Nyango
Nigerian runner, Boyi Solomon Nyango produced a standout showing at the Lagos City Marathon, finishing as the first Nigerian male athlete across the line in the 2026 edition of the prestigious road race.
Nyango stopped the clock at 2:25:32, an impressive finish time in the gruelling 42.195km course.
The long-distance runner adopted a measured approach from the early stages, holding a consistent pace while staying within the leading pack.
His patience paid off in the closing kilometres, where he made a decisive push to pull clear of his compatriots and secure top Nigerian honours.
His performance highlighted the growing stature on the domestic athletics scene and Nigeria’s rising competitiveness in elite road racing.
Medal Collection To Be Reorganized
Meanwhile, organisers Nilayo Sports Management Limited confirmed they are reviewing the medal distribution process following a crowd surge at the Lagos City Marathon 10km race finish point.
In a statement issued after the incident, the organisers said:
“Most importantly, our hearts go out to everyone who was affected by the surge or experienced distress during this period.”
“We understand the excitement and emotion that come with crossing the finish line, and we deeply regret any anxiety, discomfort, or inconvenience caused.”
They also disclosed that some individuals attempted to collect medals before the 10km race officially commenced, including unauthorised participants using bibs from previous editions.
“In response, we have activated robust plans for an immediate and orderly medal redistribution exercise,” the statement added.
“All runners must present their original race bib at designated collection points, where strict queuing protocols, enhanced volunteer presence, and reinforced security measures will be in place.”
A detailed schedule for medal collection, organisers said, will be communicated through official marathon channels.
