The Access Bank Lagos City Marathon was held last Saturday, and boy was it spectacular. This was the third edition of the 42km marathon and it could only be bigger. As many as 100,000 athletes from all over the world gathered to #RUNLAGOS for fitness, cash prize, cars, networking, selfies, and so many other reasons.
#accessbanklagoscitymarathon. Wow, who says the Access Bank Lagos City is not Africa’s #1 Marathon. See for yourself. Congratulations to all! pic.twitter.com/W5NUzT66tJ
— ETUOKWU VICTOR (@EtuokwuVictor) February 10, 2018
The marathon had a few types of races, most importantly the 42km race and the 10km race. Both were further divided into male and female. The 42km race started at the National Stadium, Surulere, and ended at the Eko Atlantic City in Victoria Island. While the 10km race started from Osborne and also terminated at the Eko Atlantic City.
For the third year running, the 42km races were won by East Africans. Kenyan-born Frenchman, Abraham Kiprotich won the 42km race for the male category. He finished the race in 2:13:04 hrs. That time set a new Lagos marathon record, as it was three minutes faster than the previous record.
In the female category, Almenesh Herpa Guta, an Ethiopian, won the marathon. Guta and Kiprotich carted home $50,000 each for finishing first place.
Access Bank Lagos City Marathon Sights and Selfies!!!
Here are all the gists from Twitter about what you missed!
First thing first! Clear the traffic.
Access Bank Lagos City Marathon 2018: LASTMA (@followlastma) announces alternative traffic routes. pic.twitter.com/xm6Siqc3RU
— Lord Skibabs (@Skibabs) February 9, 2018
But Lagosians do not like to hear word.
"@rrslagos767: Lagos Police Command has directed owners of vehicles parked along Access Bank LAGOS CITY MARATHON route to move them or risked being towed by the police. @Gidi_Traffic #LagosCityMarathon #GIDITRAFFIC
— GIDI (@Gidi_Traffic) February 9, 2018
Who was in attendance? Legendary Footballer, Jay Jay Okocha was in attendance. Hope you didn’t miss him?
And we have a surprise participant in the 10km race. It's @IAmOkocha who's ready to join in the fun #RunLagos pic.twitter.com/iNrMempqAM
— ACLSports (@acl_sports) February 10, 2018
The Governor of Lagos was there with his crew.
https://twitter.com/LagosTownHall/status/962228987396280320
Lasisi Elenu was there somehow, and he ranted small.
Hello everybody Lasisi is here again sum jus appen righ now. Are you participating in the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon? Try out this cool filter https://t.co/NG0z8ebc9h tag @myaccessbank #BeCool #AccessTheLife #RunLagos https://t.co/NAjuDnum7M #Feb10 pic.twitter.com/drMUVQsD2e
— Lasisielenu (@lasisielenu) February 2, 2018
The athletes were all set to run even before 7 am!
https://twitter.com/GreatGracious/status/962216547698794496
Aerial view of the marathon and finish point at Eko Atlantic City #RunLagos #LagosCityMarathon pic.twitter.com/0IDg5qp3mO
— The Lagos State Govt (@followlasg) February 10, 2018
These are sprint runners from #SteadyRunClub. They'll participate in the 2018 Access Bank Lagos Marathon. @steadyrunclub is very proud of them. Join us today. pic.twitter.com/U78xKpZl15
— Steady Run Club (@steadyrunclub) February 10, 2018
What would you have done if you had won?
If you completed the whole 42km first to win the $50,000, what would be your first purchase? Answer with the hashtag #AccessTheLife pic.twitter.com/0g2LgbBZbI
— Access Bank Plc (@myaccessbank) February 10, 2018
Journalists everywhere as race begins.
Over 1000 journalists for Access Bank Lagos City Marathon https://t.co/TpmoNcdjXc .@Pellentini .@Fredoreh .@AccessBankPlc .@lagosmarathon .@AkinwunmiAmbode .@tundeyeludini .@LagosSportsComm pic.twitter.com/eq2Vvumx0x
— SportsTalkAfrica (@Sportstalkafric) February 6, 2018
Kids ran too.
The now. The future. They both ran 22km. One is 8, the other is 11 years old. #AccessTheLife #RunLagos pic.twitter.com/dsXhIDf3kX
— Access Bank Plc (@myaccessbank) February 10, 2018
These kids made the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon extremely worthwhile for me. It’s a honour to provide young Africans a global stage to demonstrate innate talent and potentials. Special thanks to everyone that attended or supported. Let’s make 2019 greater. #AccessTheLife pic.twitter.com/dl0m5aHYWW
— Herbert Wigwe, FCA (@HerbertOWigwe) February 11, 2018
If she could do it, why didn’t you?
https://twitter.com/Marapolsa/status/962213440281554944
And, many had their own style for the race…
Special athlete, Harrison Chinedu rode his bicycle all the way with a ball on his head #RunLagos #LagosCityMarathon pic.twitter.com/CVmGIwFhGU
— The Lagos State Govt (@followlasg) February 10, 2018
Let’s not forget about the cheerleaders.
They came to cheer for the runners #RunYourRace #RunLagos #LagosCityMarathon pic.twitter.com/VBcZ3h1SrN
— The Lagos State Govt (@followlasg) February 10, 2018
Or the selfies!
Nigerian Nurses live at Access bank Lagos Marathon @inspired_nurses @jayjayprof @iamAyanfejesu @nursesonair pic.twitter.com/5v4Hy53Ao6
— InspireNursesNetwork (@inspired_nurses) February 10, 2018
And the winner is:
https://twitter.com/NaijaAvenue/status/963007342353833984
https://twitter.com/ebuka_akara/status/962258600361185280
#RunLagos: Iliya Pam is First Nigerian Winner at #AccessBankLagosCityMarathon https://t.co/heCptSzjAf #Inspired_
— BellaNaija (@bellanaija) February 10, 2018
The governor celebrated the winner, but deep down he wasn’t happy.
https://twitter.com/kfsnigeria/status/962765907008290816
Here’s why?
“We’re tired of giving these trophies to the East Africans. We’ll be committing resources to training our Nigerian athletes so they can win the marathon” – Ambode. #AccessTheLife #RunLagos
— Access Bank Plc (@myaccessbank) February 10, 2018
He wasn’t alone.
Kenya again when we Nigeria going to Win this Lagos access bank marathon I think I need to be there next year
— Sowunmi kehinde (@Sowunmikehinde1) February 10, 2018
Access Bank lagos Marathon has come and go with our money to another country..we call it a state marathon not a country marathon. Our Governor is now complaining that is foreigners that are winning it Sir that is not our profession…
— Role Oluwatobilob🅐 (@ItsMaryorwah) February 12, 2018
So there you go! That’s all the gist we can share. What do you think?
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