Kenya’s Kibet, Ethiopia’s Hirpa win 2025 Lagos City Marathon

Kenyan athlete, Edwin Kibet Koech, and Ethiopian runner, Guta Meseret Hirpa, have emerged as the men’s and women’s champions, respectively, in the 2025 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, securing top honours in the prestigious event.

Koech clinched the men’s title for the second time, having previously won in 2023, completing the 42km course in a record time of 2 hours and 14 minutes.

His victory earned him the $50,000 first-place prize.

In the women’s category, Hirpa secured her first-ever Lagos City Marathon title, crossing the finish line with an unofficial time of 2 hours, 37 minutes, and 4.08 seconds.

The 2025 edition of the marathon attracted approximately 37,000 runners across both the 10km and 42km races.

According to Race General Manager and retired Nigerian long jumper, Yusuf Ali, participation figures were based on the number of running kits distributed, despite over 60,000 athletes registering for the event.

The 42km race commenced at 6:30 am from the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, while the 10km race started at 9:30 am from the Grace Garden Event Centre, Lekki. Both events concluded at Eko Atlantic City.

Now in its 10th year, the Lagos City Marathon holds a World Athletics gold label, with organisers striving to achieve a platinum label, a milestone that would make it the first marathon in Africa to attain the prestigious status.