The 11th edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon began with elite and local runners already navigating major routes across Lagos in one of Africa’s biggest road races.
Organised by Nilayo Sports Management Limited in partnership with Access Bank and the Lagos State Government, the marathon features both 42-kilometre and 10-kilometre races.
According to Access Bank, the full marathon “started at Orca Shopping Mall, Ahmadu Bello Way, Eko Atlantic City, and finishes at Eko Atlantic, Victoria Island, Lagos,” with a 6:30am flag-off.
It added that “the 10km race will start at Grace Garden Event Centre, Lekki, and finish at Eko Atlantic, Victoria Island, Lagos.”
The organisers confirmed attractive prize money for elite competitors. In the international elite category for men and women, “the first position will receive $50,000, second $20,000, third $15,000, fourth $12,000, fifth $10,000, sixth $8,000, seventh $6,000 and eighth $4,000.”
For Nigerian elite athletes, Access Bank stated that “the first position will receive N2,000,000, second N1,500,000, third N1,000,000, fourth N500,000, fifth N200,000, sixth N100,000, while seventh to tenth positions will receive N50,000 each.”
In the 10km Nigerian category, the bank noted that “the first position will receive N500,000, second N400,000, third N300,000, fourth N200,000 and fifth N100,000.”
Ahead of the race, the Lagos State Government announced traffic diversions to ensure smooth operations. The Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Oluwaseun Osiyemi, said the restrictions were unavoidable.
“The first, 42-kilometre race, will commence at Ahmadu Bello (by MRS Gas Station) route and run through the entire stretch of the Coastal Road, which is the end point of the race,” Osiyemi said.
He added that “the second, 10-kilometre race, will cover Durosimi Etti (Lekki Phase 1), the starting point, and run through Ozumba Mbadiwe to Bishop Oluwole to Akin Adesola and Sanusi Fafunwa, which is the end point.”
The government explained that “all affected adjoining roads, junctions and intersections along race one and two will be blocked,” noting that officials of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority and other security agencies had been deployed to control access. Motorists were urged to be patient as the closures form part of the traffic management plan for the marathon.
Currently rated as a gold label race, the Lagos City Marathon is seeking elevation to platinum label status — the highest global classification, with only 16 such races worldwide and none in Africa.
The event enjoys backing from the Athletics Federation of Nigeria and World Athletics, as organisers continue efforts to position the race among the world’s elite road running events.
This Years edition is expected to attract top athletes from across the globe as Lagos consolidates its reputation as a leading destination for international road races.
