Sports

Kenya’s Kephar Namutala, Mercy Jepkemoi Triumph at 2025 PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City Half Marathon

Published

11 months ago

December 6, 2025

Joel Ajayi
Kenya reaffirms its premium dominant in long distance at the Premium Trust bank Abuja City Half marathon with a complete sweep in both men and women races.

The trio of kephar namutala, Edwin kipyago, Ezekiel chepkovomi swept the men’s top three medals. Namutala won the race in a time of 1:05:14:45 to go home with the cash prize of 8000 US dollars while his country man Kipyago finished second in a time of 1:05:39:73 and a cash prize of 6000 US Dollars.

Ezekiel Chepkoromi finished third in a time of 1:06:05:09 winning the cash prize of 5000 US dollars. Nigeria’s Adamu Shehu was Nigeria’s best performance as he emerged overall 4th in a time of 1:08:25:49 and won a double cash prize of 2 million Naira and 4000 US dollars for finishing in the overall top eight.

Another Nigerian, Auta Monday finished 8th on the overall standing and second in the Nigeria category in a time of 1:09:45::96 to go home with a double cash reward of 500 US dollars and 1.5 million Naira. Friday Elisha was Nigeria’s third best performer in a time of 1:10:30:52 in the men’s category.

In the Women’s category, Kenya’s Mercy Jepkemoi won the race in a time of 1:14:53:23 while Nigeria’s duo of Shambor Blessing and Akusho Lydia made a historic feat by finishing second and third respectively in a time of 1:16:28:69 and 1:16:34:67.

Chairman of the National Sports Commission, NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko commended the Organisers of the race, Nilayo Sport Management limited for continually raising the bar of road races in Nigeria with premium organisation of the race.

” It’s quite brilliant what we are seeing here and it clearly aligns with our vision at the Sports commission. If we take this kind of events very seriously it can give Nigeria a comparative advantage in road racing in the near future”.

Director General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, also express confidence that Nigeria will soon be a force to be reckoned with when it comes to producing elite long distance runners because of international marathon of this quality.

” The feasibility that the organisers, Nilayo Sports, are giving to long distance in Nigeria is highly commended and Premium Trust bank Abuja City marathon is another success story that will be remembered for a long time”.

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Sports

Lagos Women Run: Excitement Builds Ahead of Saturday’s TBS Race

Published

2 days ago

November 10, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Participants from different walks of life are eagerly looking forward to the Lagos Women Run scheduled for Saturday, November 14, at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Lagos.

The participants have expressed excitement about the opportunities and experiences the annual event promises to offer.

Our correspondent reports that, in addition to runners from within Lagos and other parts of Nigeria, some athletes are expected to travel from outside the country to participate in the race.

The organisers are already making preparations for the large number of registered participants, while the possibility of accepting late entries will depend on the timing and other arrangements.

The Coordinator of the Lagos Women Run, Tayo Popoola, said participants should expect an improved experience compared with previous editions.

“We have to continue to get better, as that is the driving force for us as organisers. We will be bigger and better with every edition,” Popoola said.

The 2026 Lagos Women Run will hold on Saturday, November 14, with Tafawa Balewa Square serving as the starting point.

Participants are expected to arrive at the venue by 6:30 a.m. for the event.

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