Lagos Marathon: Kenya’s Tumo wins, breaks 4-year record

By Akeem Lawal

WINNER of the 2020 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, David Barmasai Tumo, is not only happy to win the 42km race and claim the first prize of $50,000, the Kenyan is also delighted to break the marathon’s four-year record.

Tumo set the new record after finishing the race in two hours, 10 minutes and 23 seconds, a time lesser than what previous winners had recorded.

Last year, Ethiopia’s Sintayehu Legese won the marathon in 2 hours, 17 minutes and 28 seconds, while Kenyan-French runner, Abraham Kiprotich won the 2018 edition in 2:13:04secs. 2017 edition saw Abraham Kiptum of Kenya defended his title in 2:15:20secs after finishing the 2016 edition in 2:16:21 seconds.

Tumo, who gets $20,000 extra for breaking the record, 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 am very happy to be the winner of this race.

“I trained very hard in Kenya, 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,” Tumo told SportingLife.

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Ethiopia’s Debeko Dakamo came in 2nd in 2:10:55 to claim the cash prize of $40,000, with Paul Chege also from Kenya finishing 3rd in 2:11:23 seconds for the cash prize of $30,000.

Another Kenyan, Sharon Jemutai Cherop, emerged as the first female athlete to finish the 42km race in 02:31:40secs ahead of Ethiopia’s Kebene Chara Urisa and Rodah Jepkorir, who finished in second and third place respectively.

A visibly excited Cherop said she was determined to beat the Ethiopians.

“This is my first time here and I am very happy that I came and won the race.In the last 500 metres, I shouted, maybe the Ethiopians heard me. I said number two is not my portion, that number one is my portion and I thank God for this victory,” Cherop said.