Emmanuel Naibei and Meseret Dinke on Saturday emerged winners of the 2021 edition of the Lagos City Marathon race taking away a cash prize of $30,000 each.

Kenyan, Naibei, returned a time of 2:11:37 to claim the top prize of $30,000 while Meseret Dinke, Ethiopian, won the female category also winning a cash prize of $30,000.

Daresa Geleta of Ethiopia took second place in the men category while Demiso Legese also from Ethiopia took third place.

In the second place, women category Celestine Chepchirchir (Kenya) won, taking a cash reward of $20,000 while Desta Muluneh (Ethiopia) took third place with a cash prize of $15,000.

Just like it is in the Men's category, this is the fourth time an Ethiopian will be winning the female race.

Plateau-born, Istifanus Peter Mahan was the first Nigerian to cross the finish line.

Championed by Access Bank, the race started in the wee hours of Saturday in front of the National Stadium, Surulere, and ended at the Eko Atlantic City, Victoria Island, a 42-kilometer stretch.

Unlike previous years where over 100,000 participated in the marathon, only 300 athletes were allowed to participate in the 2021 edition due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The race was flagged off by the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare.

(With input from agencies)