Bernard Sang says winning the 2024 Lagos City Marathon over the weekend was not in his sights, with a podium finish his main concern.
However, he defied the odds to win the race in 2:16:49 ahead of compatriots Silas Cheprot and Edwin Kiptoo who timed 2:16:54.
Sang, 43, had finished third in last year's edition in a race where Kenyan athletes dominated the 2016, 2017, 2020 and 2021 editions.
“I am grateful for winning the ninth edition of the Lagos City Marathon. I have participated in this race three times and never emerged as a winner. I finished third last year,” Sang said.
Sang had placed second in the 2023 Istanbul Marathon in November, clocking 2:12:41 behind fellow Kenyan Panuel Mkungo (2:10.35).
Sang was victorious in Istanbul in 2020 when he won the title in 2:11:49.
Sang attributed his victory in Lagos to a rigorous training regime he had undertaken before the race.
“Despite the hot weather conditions in Kenya, I trained both in the morning and evening for over two months, and the hard work has paid off,” he noted.
Ethiopia’s Chala Kebene won the women’s race in 2:41:01 followed by compatriot Ruti Aga (2:41:40) and Kenyan Sharon Cherop (2:42:00).
The winners of the 42km elite race walked home with Sh4 million while second and third-placed athletes will bag Sh3 million and Sh2 million respectively.
