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Lagos City Marathon

February 13, 2027 · 6:30 AMLagos, Lagos State, Nigeria

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Race snapshot

Race Day

77°F

79–88°F · Feels warm

Total elevation gain

262ft

Relatively flat course · Net elevation change −33 ft

Participants

42K

World-class event

Crowd Rating

8/ 10

Excellent spectator turnout

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.

Minimum Age: 18 years
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
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
Cancellation & Refund Policy: No registration fee charged — no refund policy applicable for general entry

01: World Athletics Gold Label race (pursuing Platinum Label status)
02: Title sponsor: Access Bank; organiser: Nilayo Sports Management Limited
03: Supported by Lagos State Government and Nigeria's National Sports Commission
04: 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)
05: Point-to-point course: Surulere to Eko Atlantic City, Victoria Island
06: 42 km flag-off at 06:30; cutoff 12:30 (6-hour limit)
07: 10 km flag-off at 09:30; cutoff 12:30
08: Water stations every 2.5 km; refreshment/sponge stations every 5 km
09: Expected race-day temperature: 22–27°C
10: All finishers receive medal and certificate; all participants receive race vest
11: Bibs collected in the 5 days preceding race day at Teslim Balogun Stadium
12: Inaugural edition: 2016 (event in its 11th year as of 2026)
13: Kenyan men have won 9 of 11 editions; Ethiopian women have dominated the women's race

Prepare for This Race

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