By Azuka Christopher
SAT 10 APRIL, 2021-theGBJournal-Kenyan marathon runner Emmanuel Naibei today won the 2021 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon. He crossed the line ahead of two Ethiopians, Daresa Geleta and Demiso Legese to clinch the coveted prize.
Ethiopian, Meseret Dinke broke the course record to win the female category. Kenyan Celestine Jepchirchir finished in second place while Ethiopian Desta Nigist Muluneh finished in third place. The winner in the female category earned $30,000 same as the male winner, a reflection of Access Bank’s gender equality focus.
Istifanus Peter Mahan was the first Nigerian to cross the finish line.
The 42 km race began at the National Stadium, Surulere, and ended at the Eko Atlantic City. This year’s race, hugely impacted by COVID-19 pandemic protocols and restrictions, saw only 300 participants compared to the over 100,000 people that participated in the 2020 edition.
Some parts of the mega city was shut down for the safety of thousands of runners, hundreds of thousands of cheering fans and millions of Lagosians.
The course record of 2:10:00 is held by David Barmasai.
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