A dramatic scene unfolded at the 10th Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, on Saturday when the presidential candidate of African Action Congress (AAC) in the last general election, Omoyele Sowore, allegedly took over the seat reserved for Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, at the Eko Atlantic finish point of the race.The race had just ended with Kenya’s Edwin Kibet clinching the men’s title with an improved time of 2:14:19, while Ethiopia’s Guta Meseret Hirpa won the women’s title.

Governor Sanwo-Olu, who had arrived at the venue earlier, was invited to the podium to deliver a speech and present medals to the winners.

While the governor and some other top dignitaries, including the chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko were at the podium, Sowore allegedly gained access into the area reserved for the governor and his entourage.

Security personnel and organisers of the event and some other dignitaries persuaded Sowore to leave the area, but he allegedly refused, which sparked a tense standoff.

The situation escalated, requiring the intervention of the Director General of the NSC, Bukola Olopade, and security operatives to resolve the matter.

After a brief but intense confrontation, Sowore and his supporters were eventually escorted off the premises.

Speaking with The Guardian, Olopade expressed his displeasure over the incident saying: “I didn’t expect Sowore to put up this kind of drama in a marathon event he has participated in over the years. He is one of those top dignitaries who usually run for fun in the marathon, but to force his way into the seat reserved for the governor is wrong. When my attention was drawn to it, I quickly went to tell him to vacate the seat, but he was not ready to listen to anybody. But thank God we were able to resolve it,” Olopade said.

Meanwhile, Kenya’s Edwin Kibet ran an improved time of 2:14:19 to win the men’s title. Last year, the winner, Bernard Sang, also a Kenyan, crossed the line in 2:16:49.

But on Saturday, Kibet showed great strength to win the men’s race despite his late arrival in Nigeria. Without enough rest upon his arrival, the Kenyan showed everyone that he was truly an elite athlete to bank on. He went home with the $50,000 prize money.

Kipygon Hehemiah, also a Kenyan, was second in 2:16:37, just as another of their compatriots, Sang Benard Cheruiyot, was third in 2:17:17.

There was also a new winner in the women’s 42k race. Ethiopia’s Guta Meseret Hirpa won the title, beating her compatriot to claim her first title in Lagos. Hirpa got to the line in a time of 2:37:04, inspiring an Ethiopian 1-2 in the women’s marathon. Aleminesh Herpha (Ethiopia) was second in 2:38:01:39, while Kenya’s Jerono Peris was third also in 2:38:01:39.

Nyango Gyang Boyi emerged the men’s winner in the Nigerian category in a time of 2:25:41:58. Apart from winning N2million as the first Nigerian, Boyi also won $4,000 for finishing eighth overall.

Blessing Shambor Solomon emerged winner in the women’s category of Nigerian runners, while Elizabeth Nuhu Power and Patience Dalyop Mwanvwang finished second and third respectively.

Like Boyi, Blessing Solomon got N2 million for her effort.

While speaking at the event, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said that he was satisfied with the conduct of the 2025 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, adding that the state would give the organisers more support to make the 2026 edition bigger and better.

On her part, the Managing Director/CEO of Nilayo Sports Management Limited, organisers of the event, Mrs. Yetunde Olopade, commended the sponsor, Access Bank, as well as Lagos State government for their support.