Boyi Solomon Nyango emerged as the first Nigerian male runner to finish the 2026 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, crossing the line in 2:25:32 after a demanding race through key corridors of Lagos.
The 11th edition of the road race, held on Saturday, February 14, 2026, again drew a mix of elite international athletes and mass participants, reinforcing its position as one of the most watched long-distance events on Nigeria’s sports calendar. In the elite men’s race, Ezra Kipchumba Kering took first place in 2:11:55 to claim the top prize, while the women’s title went to Meseret Dinke in 2:37:36. 
Beyond the overall podium, Nyango’s finish carried strong local significance. He led the Nigerian men’s field on a day when the elite positions were decided at a much faster clip, but the national category remained a key marker of progress for homegrown distance running.
In the Nigerian women’s category, Deborah Pam Badung was the first Nigerian woman to complete the marathon, posting a time of 2:55:46.
Organisers also tied the event’s prestige to incentives designed to deepen local participation. Reports on the 2026 edition described a structured prize system for Nigerian finishers, with cash awards spread across the top 10 in each gender, including a top prize for the first Nigerian finisher.
The race route and finish remain central to its identity. The event is staged in Lagos, with the course anchored around Eko Atlantic and adjoining districts, and it is marketed as a major early-morning city race that blends competition with spectacle.
