Lagos City Marathon
The Lowdown
The Lagos City Marathon (title-sponsored by Access Bank) is Nigeria's flagship road race and one of Africa's largest marathons. Held annually in February, it is a World Athletics Gold Label event — one of the highest road-race certifications globally — and is gunning for Platinum Label status. The 11th edition (2026) drew approximately 42,000 runners and is free to enter for all participants, with international elites competing for a USD $50,000 first-place prize out of a total USD $145,000 international elite purse. The point-to-point course runs 42 km from the National Stadium area in Surulere through central Lagos, finishing at the Eko Atlantic waterfront development on Victoria Island — a dramatic urban-to-coastal route through the heart of Africa's largest city. A companion 10 km race is also held on the same day. Prize money categories also include a separate Nigerian athlete category (paid in NGN). The race is organised by Nilayo Sports Management Limited and supported by the Lagos State Government and the National Sports Commission.
Race Day
Weather Forecast
Elevation
Terrain Profile
Relatively flat course
Participants
Field Size
World-class event
Crowd Rating
Spectator Support
Excellent spectator turnout
National Stadium, Surulere (start area)
Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere
Victoria Island
Eko Atlantic City (finish line)
Lagos–Calabar Coastal Road corridor
Other distances available during the event weekend:
Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria
NG
Average rate for 3-star accommodations near the start line
Eligibility
- Open to all runners; minimum age 18 for the marathon
- International participants must register online via the official website
Required Documents
- Valid photo ID required for bib collection
Entry Methods
- Online registration at lagoscitymarathon.com (required for international participants)
- Physical registration forms available at all Access Bank branches nationwide
- Physical registration at Marathon Office, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos
Cancellation & Refund Policy
No registration fee charged — no refund policy applicable for general entry
World Athletics Gold Label race (pursuing Platinum Label status)
Title sponsor: Access Bank; organiser: Nilayo Sports Management Limited
Supported by Lagos State Government and Nigeria's National Sports Commission
Nigerian athlete category prizes paid in NGN: 1st ₦2,000,000 | 2nd ₦1,500,000 | 3rd ₦1,000,000 | 4th ₦500,000 | 5th ₦200,000 | 6th ₦100,000 | 7th–10th ₦50,000 each (per gender)
Point-to-point course: Surulere to Eko Atlantic City, Victoria Island
42 km flag-off at 06:30; cutoff 12:30 (6-hour limit)
10 km flag-off at 09:30; cutoff 12:30
Water stations every 2.5 km; refreshment/sponge stations every 5 km
Expected race-day temperature: 22–27°C
All finishers receive medal and certificate; all participants receive race vest
Bibs collected in the 5 days preceding race day at Teslim Balogun Stadium
Inaugural edition: 2016 (event in its 11th year as of 2026)
Kenyan men have won 9 of 11 editions; Ethiopian women have dominated the women's race
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