Ethiopians Sweep 7th Access Bank Lagos City Marathon Prizes

Ethiopian runners were at their best at the 2022 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon as they swept most prizes at stake in the 7th edition of the road race held on Saturday 12 February.

Two Ethiopians, a male and a female won the gold prizes of both male and female categories of the race which featured athletes from all over the world.

Ulfata Deresa won the male event with a time of 2.11.58 to beat David Barmasai of Kenya who clocked 2.13.27 to take the second position, and Naibe Emmanuel, also of Kenya with a time of 2.14.42 who finished third on the log.

Ulfata will walk away with the grand prize of $30,000. Barmasai and Naibei went home with $20,000 and $15,000, respectively for their efforts at this year’s race.

Dagne Siranesh Yirga of Ethiopia beats fellow countrywoman Alemeneshi Hereha Guta (2nd) and Naomi Maiyo of Kenya (3rd) to claim the top price in the female category.

Yirga crossed the finish line at two hours 33 minutes and 50 seconds. She was followed in second place by compatriot Alemenseh Guta and Kenya’s Naomi Maiyo in third place.

In the Nigeria category, Shehu Muazu and Fadekemi Olukemi were the top finishers who won the N1 million prize monies set aside for the indigenous athletes.

Over 30,000 participants took part in Saturday’s race, which was spiced up with some form of entertainment with performances from Teniola and Zlatan Ibile.

The next edition of the Lagos Marathon is scheduled for February 4, 2023.

MALE:

1st: Ulfata Deresa, Ethiopia (2.11.58)

2nd: David Barmasai, Kenya (2.13.27)

3rd: Naibe Emmanuel, Kenya (2.14.42)

FEMALE:

1st: Dagne Siranesh Yirga, Ethiopia

2nd: Alemeneshi Hereha Guta, Ethiopia

3rd: Naomi Maiyo, Kenya