Kenyan and Ethiopian athletes dominated the 2026 Enugu City International Marathon on Saturday, claiming the top prizes in the men’s and women’s 42-kilometre races.
The event attracted runners from across Nigeria and other African countries, with the 10km and 42km races starting from the Mgbemena area of Enugu and finishing at the popular Michael Okpara Square in Independence Layout.
Kenya’s Edwin Kipyogo won the men’s 42km race in 2:23:38, narrowly edging Ethiopia’s Habtamu Girma, who finished one second behind in 2:23:39.
Another Ethiopian, Shiferaw Daltiemayo, completed the podium in 2:23:41.
The top three finishers received cash prizes of $15,000, $10,000 and $5,000 respectively.
Ethiopia also claimed all three podium places in the women’s 42km category, with Zennebe Aberu taking first place in 2:48:40.
Negashu Chatiu finished second in 3:03:18, while Adugna Mahley placed third in 3:06:32. They received the same prize money of $15,000, $10,000 and $5,000 respectively.
Nigerian athletes, however, dominated the 10km men’s race, with Gang Boyi, Davwi Gyany and Pam Joshua finishing first, second and third respectively.
Speaking about the future of the marathon, Enugu State Deputy Governor Ifeanyi Ossai said the state government was committed to raising the standard of the event with every edition.
“Our Commissioner for Youth and Sports is already ready to keep improving on what we’ve done. You will agree with me that for each successive marathon we come for in Enugu, the standard improves.
“So, for me, as government, keeping the standard and ensuring the growth is important. For you being here, I want to congratulate you. I want to thank you for choosing Enugu as a place, and ask you to tell your friends.
“In the next edition, we want to see the number quadruple. We have to be awesome,” Ossai said.
The deputy governor said the state government would continue to support the growth of the marathon as part of efforts to promote sports, healthy living and tourism, while positioning Enugu as a destination for major international sporting events.
