by Deji Ogeyingbo
Adamu Shehu Muhazu was the first Nigerian to the finish at 2022 Access Bank Lagos Marathon, photo by Deji Ogeyingbo
David Barmasai was 2nd in 2022 Access Bank Lagos Marathon, in 2:13.33, photo by Deji Ogeyingbo
The starting line, 2022 Access Bank Lagos Marathon, photo by Deji Ogeyingbo
Deji Ogeyingbo covered the largest marathon in Africa, the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon for RunBlogRun this morning. His coverage of the marathon gives us an appreciation of the growth of running in Africa.
Geleta and Yirga storm to victory at Lagos City Marathon
A torrid early pace put paid to a really fast time in Lagos on Saturday morning, and after coming short in the last two editions, Ethiopia’s Dereta Geleta upset a more established field that included course record holder, David Barmasai to win the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon in 2:11:54.
Dereta Geleta won the 2022 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, photo by Deji Obeyingbo
Relative newcomer Siranesh Yirga, competing in her first marathon to date, won the women’s race in 2:33:50 as she missed out on Sharon Cherop’s course record by just over two minutes.
Sirenesh Yirga breaks the tape at 2022 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, photo 1 by Deji Ogeyingbo
Sirenesh Yirga breaks the tape at 2022 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, photo 2 by Deji Ogeyingbo
Sirenesh Yirga breaks the tape at 2022 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, photo 3 by Deji Ogeyingbo
In what was a temperate morning in the commercial capital of Nigeria, just 25C with 74% humidity, four pacemakers led the relatively large lead park as they took off in assault of Barmasai’s course record of 2:10:23, a time he set on his way to winning in 2020.
The heat and humidity takes its toll in a marathon, photo by Deji Ogeyingbo
Race favorite, Jackson Kipkoech of Kenya and his teammate Emmanuel Naibei were within reach for the first 15km, which took 46:08, but by the halfway in 63:17, the possibility had already gone, as has half the contenders.
The finish line, 2022 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, photo by Deji Ogeyingbo
With the pacemakers exiting after the 35km mark, Barmasia still had Geleta for a company with Naibei not too far away. And with 5km to go, it was pretty obvious that Gelata had timed his kick pretty well and Barmasai was left to struggle through the final kilometers alone.
Sintayehu Legese Yinesu of Ethiopia, photo by Deji Ogeyingbo
It was redemption for Gelata as he had finished 2nd behind Naibei last year and could only manage 5th place in 2020. Barmasia held on to take second with 2:13:33 ahead of his compatriot with snagged 3rd.
Alemenseh Herpha Guta took second in the 2022 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, photo by Deji Obeyingbo
In the women’s race, defending champion Meseret Dinke finished outside of the podium as her teammates Yirga and Guta led an Ethiopian 1-2. Yirga is making her marathon debut as she had only one race under her belt to date, and it’s rather more impressive that she ran inside 2:35.
Guta wasn’t far off, clocking 2:34:36 with Kenya’s Naomi Mayo taking 3rd with 2:35:37.
Men’s Result
Ulfata Deresa Geleta, Ethiopia, 2:11:54
David Barmasai, Kenya, 2:13:33
Emmanuel Naibei, Kenya, 2:14:37
Women’s Result
Dagne Siranesh Yirga, Ethiopia, 2:33:50
Alemenseh Herpha Guta, Ethiopia, 2:34:36
Naomi Jepkosgei Maiyo, Kenya, 2:35:37
