Lagos City Marathon organisers await World Athletics rating

• Published On: 16 February 2025 at 21:12

Organizers of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon are waiting for World Athletics to release the rating for the 10th edition of the race, which took place on Saturday, in order to become Africa's first platinum marathon.

Kenya's Edwin Kibet won the 2025 marathon in 2:14:19, earning $50,000.

Kibet was followed in second place by Kipyegon Nehemiah in 2:16:37, while last year's winner Bernard Sang finished third in 2:16:49.

Ethiopia's Guta Hirpa also won the women's 42km race, completing an Ethiopian 1-2 finish.


Hirpa crossed the finish line in 2:37:04, followed by her compatriot Aleminesh Herpha in second in 2:38:01:39, and Kenya's Jerono Peris in third.

Though the organisers aimed for a two-hour and 10-minute finish in Saturday's race, the race's General Manager, Yusuf Ali, expressed hope that the outcome would be sufficient to secure the platinum label.

The government diverted traffic for the Lagos Marathon. The goal was for elite athletes to complete the race in 2 hours and 10 minutes, a key requirement for receiving the Platinum Label. I am confident that the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon has met all of the label's requirements, and we hope to be the first in Africa to achieve Platinum status. We expect confirmation from World Athletics very soon," Ali said.

Mrs. Yetunde Olopade, Managing Director/CEO of Nilayo Sports Management Limited, praised the sponsor, Access Bank, as well as the 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.

Aside from winning N2 million as the first Nigerian to cross the finish line, Boyi also received $4,000 for finishing eighth overall.

Blessing Solomon won the women's category of Nigerian runners, with Elizabeth Power and Patience Mwanvwang finishing second and third, respectively.

Solomon, like Boyi, received N2 million for her efforts.