By Tgnews
The 2025 edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon has come to a close, with Kenya’s Edwin Kibet emerging as the winner in the men’s category. Kibet, who arrived in Nigeria just a day before the marathon, showed remarkable strength and endurance to cross the finish line in a time of 2:14:18, earning him the top prize of $50,000.
In a surprising turn of events, Kibet’s victory was all the more impressive given that he had only arrived in Nigeria at 6 pm the previous day, leaving him with limited time to rest and acclimate to the local conditions. Despite this, he demonstrated his exceptional athleticism and mental toughness to take the top spot on the podium.
The first Nigerian to finish the race, Nyango Gyang Boyi, made history by finishing in the top 10 positions, a feat that has never been achieved by a Nigerian athlete in the competition. Boyi’s impressive performance saw him finish in 8th place, with a time of 2:25:41.58, earning him a prize award of $4,000. Additionally, as the first Nigerian to finish the race, Boyi won the N2 million top prize in the Nigerian category, a testament to his hard work and dedication to the sport.
The first Nigerian to finish the race, Boyi won the N2 million top prize in the Nigerian category
The 2025 edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon was once again dominated by East African runners from Kenya and Ethiopia, who have consistently demonstrated their superiority in long-distance running. Kenya’s Edwin Kibet’s victory marked his second win in the competition, following his first victory in the 2023 edition. In the women’s category, Ethiopia’s Guta Meseret Hirpa emerged victorious, clocking a time of 2:37:04 to take the top prize.
The Lagos City Marathon, which has become a premier international sporting event, attracted thousands of runners from around the world, all competing for the top prize. The 42km race commenced at Western Avenue, in front of the National Stadium Surulere, and finished in front of Eko Atlantic City, Victoria Island. The event has been awarded a gold label by the World Athletics in 2023, less than eight years after its first edition, a testament to its growing reputation and prestige.
The governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, was also one of the participants in this year’s Lagos City Marathon, demonstrating his commitment to promoting sports and physical activity in the state. The event has become an important platform for Nigerian athletes to showcase their talents and compete against international athletes, and it is hoped that it will continue to inspire and motivate young athletes to pursue their dreams in the sport.
As the dust settles on the 2025 edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, attention will now turn to the future of the event and the potential for Nigerian athletes to make a breakthrough in the competition. With the likes of Nyango Gyang Boyi leading the way, there is hope that Nigerian athletes will soon be able to challenge the dominance of East African runners and take their rightful place on the podium. Until then, the Lagos City Marathon will continue to be a celebration of athleticism, endurance, and determination, inspiring thousands of runners and spectators alike.
