Tobias Sylvester
Kenyan runner, David Barmasai Tumo has emerged the winner of the 42km AccessBank Lagos City Marathon for the year 2020.
The 31 year-old professional runner won the star prize of $50, 000 in the male category.
He also got an additional $20,000 for breaking four-year record by finishing the race in two hours, 10minutes and 23 seconds.
It was a clean sweep as Debeko Dakama and Paul Waweru Chege also from Kenya joined Barmasai on the podium finishing second and third. The second and third to win $40,000 and $30,000 respectively.
The 42km race commenced from National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, at about 6:30am and ended at Eko Atlantic City.
Speaking shortly after winning the marathon, David said:
“I didn’t come to Nigeria for the records, I just wanted to compete, though I had my sight on the top prize, but breaking the record time of the last winner is something I now cherish, I’m happy.
“I trained very hard, I wake up as early as possible to build on my strength because I know I am coming to Nigeria to face Champions from different countries, it wasn’t easy as you all saw, but I’m glad I made it happen.
“The Rivalry between Kenya and Ethiopia is a normal thing, it will continue as long as we keep competing, it’s a good thing that the world knows that Africa has an advantage in long distance event.”
KanyiDaily recalls that last year 2019, Sintayehu Legese of Ethiopia won the marathon with a time of 2:17:28.
Since the inception of the annual marathon festival, no Nigerian has emerged winner, now in its fifth edition.
