The 2024 Lagos City Marathon ran its full course without hitches, but there was no new records to celebrate as the organisers had wished.
But they deserve credits for delivering a good race and hospitality that Lagos can be proud of and also to boost their credentials in the drive to achieve top five world marathon status.
The race was flagged off at exactly 6.00am, but soon enough the humidity posed the biggest challenge to the runners.
On the hour mark, Silas Cheprot, Geoffrey Birge and Bernard Sang separated themselves from the leading pack, but after 30 minutes of pacing, with his compatriots, Sang went ahead leaving Cheprot 50m behind at one km to go.
He had the luxury of checking his watch and watching his back if Cheprot was going to pull a surprised surge. There was no such thrilling finale as Sang coasted home effortless to clinch the title at 2.16.15 not the kind of race Yusuf Alli wanted.
It was also six minutes late for the course record of 2.10.23secs held by David Barmasai of Kenya since 2020.
Silas Cheprot clocked 2.16. 54 and Geoffrey Birge 2.17. 44 much to the delight of the Kenyan delegation.
In the women’s race, Urisa Kebene of Ethiopia prevented a Kenyan sweep as she topped the women with a time of 2.41.01secs.
She peeled away from the pack with 10km to go and maintained a steady run to the finish at the Eko Atlantic City unchallenged.
Kenya’s Margaret Agai and compatriot Sharon Jemtal Cherop finished 2.41.42 and 2.47.00 respectively.
“It’s very hot in Lagos, in Kenya it’s cold,” said Sang who was third in the 2023 race.
“It is difficult to run under such conditions, but next year I will come around to give it another try.”
Second place woman Agai a first timer in Lagos also groaned about the weather, but praised the atmosphere the race was run.