By Peter Omopo
The 11th edition of the commenced on Saturday morning, with thousands of runners taking to major routes across Lagos as the race officially got underway.
Athletes were seen in full stride shortly after the flag-off, marking the start of one of Africa’s biggest road races. A video shared by sports photographer Sulaimon Adebayo, popularly known as Pooja, captured the early moments of the competition.
The marathon is organised by Nilayo Sports Management Limited in partnership with and the Lagos State Government. This year’s edition features both the 42-kilometre full marathon and a 10-kilometre race.
According to the organisers, the 42km race flagged off at 6:30 a.m. from Orca Shopping Mall, Ahmadu Bello Way, Eko Atlantic City, and will finish at Eko Atlantic, Victoria Island. The 10km race began at 9:30 a.m. from Grace Garden Event Centre in Lekki and will also terminate at Eko Atlantic, Victoria Island.
Prize Money
In the elite category for men and women, the first-place winners will receive $50,000, while second place earns $20,000 and third place $15,000. Athletes finishing fourth to eighth will receive prizes ranging from $12,000 to $4,000.
For Nigerian elite athletes, the top prize is N2 million, followed by N1.5 million for second place and N1 million for third. Athletes finishing fourth to tenth will receive cash rewards down to N50,000.
In the 10km Nigerian category, the winner will receive N500,000, with subsequent prizes ranging from N400,000 to N100,000 for the top five finishers.
Traffic Diversions
Ahead of the race, the Lagos State Government implemented traffic diversion measures to ensure smooth coordination and public safety.
The Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, said the 42km race would commence at Ahmadu Bello Way by MRS Gas Station and run through the entire stretch of the Coastal Road to the finish point.
He added that the 10km race would start at Durosimi Etti in Lekki Phase 1 and pass through Ozumba Mbadiwe, Bishop Oluwole, Akin Adesola and Sanusi Fafunwa.
Authorities confirmed that all affected adjoining roads, junctions and intersections along the race routes were blocked from midnight, with traffic officials and security agencies deployed to manage movement and prevent unauthorised access to the race corridor. Motorists were urged to cooperate with officials.
Currently a gold label race recognised by , the Lagos marathon is aiming for elevation to platinum label status — the highest global classification — a milestone yet to be attained by any race in Africa.
The event has also received support from the as organisers intensify efforts to position it among the world’s elite road races.
