Kenyans, Ethiopians win 2021 Lagos Marathon
Two Kenyans, Emmanuel Naibei and Meseret Dinke, have emerged the winners of the 2021 edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon in the men and women categories.
First Nigerian, Istifanus Peter Mahan, was the first to cross the finish line at this year’s competition and won the N1m in that category.
Now in its sixth edition, this is the fourth time a Kenyan is emerging winner of the men’s category of the 42km Access Bank Lagos City Marathon.
Nabei on Saturday returned a time of 2hrs 15 mins 01 sec (official) to claim the top $30,000 prize.
While the winning time falls short of the course record of 2:10:23 set last year, it is the second-fastest ever in the history of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon.
According to Daily Trust, a runner-up at the 2019 Guangzhou Marathon where he set his current Personal Best time of 2:08:27, the ageing Naibei is still waxing strong.
Nabei was also among those with podium finishes at the CFLD Beijing Marathon, Beijing where he finished third.
The Ethiopian duo of Daresa Geleta and Demiso Legese finished in the second and third positions respectively in the men’s category of Saturday’s race.
In the women’s category, Meseret Dinke reclaimed her title, and she did it in style with a new course record after returning a time of 2:28:51.
Dinke won the 2019 edition of the Access Bank Lagos City marathon but was dethroned last year by Kenyan Sharon Cherop who set the former course record of 2.31.40.
Celestine Jepchirchir from Kenya and Desta Nigist Mulune from Ethiopia finished second and third respectively in the women’s category.
Just like it is in the men’s category, this is the fourth time an Ethiopian will be winning the female race.
Only 300 elite runners participated in Saturday’s race due to strict COVID-19 protocols.
Previous editions of the marathon have had thousands of runners from different parts of the world.
At the 2021 edition, the 10km race was cancelled physically but was done virtually.
However, the organisers insisted there will be no prize money for the virtual game as it is for fun.