The dominance of Kenyan athletes in long distance races was once again portrayed on Saturday in the Lagos City Marathon, as runners from the East African country scooped top prizes in Nigeria.
Abraham Kiptum who won the maiden edition of the Lagos Marathon successfully defended his title and he did it in style this time, winning with a faster time of 2hrs 15mins 23secs.
Fellow Kenyan, Roda Jepkorir Tanui, won the women’s race as she dethroned Ethiopia’s Halima Kayo who won the 2016 edition.
In both races, the top three slots were clinched by Kenyans, as Ronny Kipkoech Riboss, and Kiroi Kiprotic joined Kiptum in the men’s category while Fridah Lodepa, and Alice Tambilili joined Tanui on the podium in the women’s race.
Following the wins, Nigerian Twitter users rushed to the social site with hilarious reactions, some even demanding that Kenyans don’t be invited in subsequent editions of the marathons.
Here are some of the tweets;
If Nigerians are starting the marathon from Lagos, the participating Kenyans should be starting from Ibadan. Let the race be even
— Anda (@LazyWrita) February 11, 2017
https://twitter.com/Keleccini/status/830749704904392705
https://twitter.com/olanshile/status/830713754266513408
Next edition of the Lagos marathon race ehn… All participating Kenyans should be made to start from Sagamu. — feeling sarcastic
— David Oghi (@davsong01) February 11, 2017
Next marathon i think kenyans should have their own category.maybe (lagos marathon senior boys) pic.twitter.com/bDboNTF2LU
— Iniubong ossom (@Osssomm) February 11, 2017
even if d marathon strts from kenya to lagos and Nigerians are already in sagamu Kenyans will still win,dose people are brn 2 run
— Baba KABIRU (@heedrhez) February 11, 2017