The streets of the Coal City came alive on Saturday as over 3,000 runners converged for the highly anticipated 2nd edition of the Enugu City International Marathon. In a thrilling display of endurance and tactical brilliance, Kenya’s Edwin Kipyego and Ethiopia’s Zenebe Aberu claimed the ultimate prizes in the male and female 42KM elite categories, respectively.
Organized by the Enugu State Government in strategic partnership with Nilayo Sports Management, and receiving technical backing from the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), the marathon proved to be a massive sports tourism success for the state.
Flagged off at exactly 6:30 AM at the Shoprite Abakaliki Road axis by the Executive Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency Dr. Peter Mbah, the 42KM route tested athletes through Independence Layout, Okpara Avenue, and Nike Lake Road before culminating in a grand finish at the Michael Okpara Square.
Kenya’s Edwin Kipyego executed a flawless race, making a decisive breakaway at the 37KM mark to leave a tight pack of four elite runners trailing. He crossed the finish line in a blistering time of 02:20:38, securing the gold medal, ultimate bragging rights, and the grand prize of $15,000.
“This was a tough but beautiful course,” an elated Kipyego remarked after his victory. “The hills tested us, but the people of Enugu carried us with their cheers. I will definitely return next year.”
Top 3 Male 42km Finishers:
1st: Edwin Kipyego (Kenya) — 02:20:38
2nd: Habtamu Girma (Ethiopia) — 02:23:39
3rd: Shiferaw Daltiemayu (Ethiopia) — 02:23:41
In the female 42km category, Ethiopia’s Zenebe Aberu put on a dominant performance to claim the coveted crown, further cementing East Africa’s stronghold on long-distance road running.
Designed to encourage mass participation and unearth homegrown road-running talent, the 10KM race was flagged off at 8:30 AM at the Chris Tee Petrol Station.
Nigerian athletes Gang James Boyi and Obadih Vivian sent the home crowd into a frenzy by clinching the male and female titles. Boyi made his winning move with just 3KM remaining, crossing the line in 29:59.00 to take home the ₦3,000,000 top prize. Vivian secured the female crown with a time of 35:13.09.
“Running and winning in my city is a dream,” Vivian shared post-race. “The organization was excellent, and I’m proud to be part of history.”
10km Runner-Ups:
Male: Davwi Gyang (2nd), Pam Joshua (3rd)
Female: Mwantiyi Teyei (2nd), Danjuma Agnes (3rd)
The event’s flawless execution drew widespread praise from top officials and stakeholders. Mrs Yetunde Olopade , CEO of Nilayo Sports Management, described the marathon as a world-class spectacle.
“Enugu has set the standard. From athlete welfare to security and crowd management, this marathon has shown that Nigeria can host international label races,” she noted.
Representing the state, Deputy Governor Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai highlighted the economic and cultural impact of the event:
“We promised a memorable Marathon and we have delivered. The event aligns perfectly with the state’s sports tourism vision. Enugu is ready for the world, and this marathon will only get bigger. I want to specially congratulate all our sponsors for always being available with funds to drive this progress.”
Adding to the momentum, the Commissioner for Sports, Barr. Lloyd Ike Ekweremadu , commended the Local Organizing Committee (LOC), medical teams, and security agencies for a hitch-free event. He also announced that Enugu State has officially applied for World Athletics Road Race Label status for the 2027 edition.
The massive success of the marathon, which featured water stations every 5km, comprehensive medical coverage, and top-tier entertainment, was heavily supported by corporate partners. The LOC extended profound gratitude to the Official Sponsors: 7Up (via Aquafina), Afia TV, Pinnacle, Power Oil, and Enugu Air.
With the 2nd edition now firmly in the history books, the Enugu City International Marathon has solidified its reputation as a premier destination race in Africa, setting the stage for an even more spectacular 2027 showdown.