The streets of Lagos are paved with gold—at least for the swiftest Nigerians among us. In a landmark move to shatter the East African monopoly on long-distance running, the organizers of the Lagos City Marathon have announced a staggering N11 million prize pot dedicated exclusively to local athletes.

With just 11 days to go until the 11th edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, the stakes have never been higher. The initiative, revealed on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, is a strategic masterstroke designed to incentivize, reward, and elevate Nigerian marathoners who have long lived in the shadow of their Kenyan and Ethiopian counterparts. This is not just a race; it is a national reclamation project.

Breaking Down the Bounty

The prize structure is a testament to the organizers' commitment to gender equality and depth of talent. The N11 million purse will be split evenly, with N5.5 million allocated to the men’s category and N5.5 million to the women’s. Crucially, the money is not just for the winner; it rewards the top 10 finishers, ensuring that a broader pool of athletes can sustain their careers.

• The Podium Payday: The first-place Nigerian finisher will sprint home with N2 million. The runner-up will pocket N1.5 million, while the third-place athlete claims N1 million. These are life-changing sums for local runners, many of whom train with limited resources compared to the global elite.
• Depth of Field: The rewards extend down the line. The fourth-placed runner earns N500,000, fifth gets N200,000, and sixth takes N100,000. Even those finishing between 7th and 10th will receive N50,000 each—a "transportation allowance" that acknowledges their effort and encourages them to return stronger next year.
• The Strategic Goal: "We want to see a Nigerian on the global podium," an organizer stated. "By making it financially viable to be a professional runner in Nigeria, we are planting the seeds for future Olympic glory."

A Race for Respect

The Lagos City Marathon has grown into a Gold Label race, attracting the world's finest. Yet, the narrative has often been one of foreign dominance. This new incentive changes the script. It tells the boy in Jos and the girl in Ondo that their sweat has value right here at home.

As the runners make their final preparations for the 42km grueling course, the atmosphere is electric. The Kenyans may come for the main jackpot, but the battle for the "Nigerian Pride" prize will be a race within a race—fierce, desperate, and undeniably lucrative. The countdown has begun.