Kenya Airways Reaffirms Commitment to Sports Tourism at Lagos City Marathon

The premium, international, East African airline brand called Kenya Airways is widely known for its support for anything sports tourism in Nigeria, especially golf. It reputes as one of the top 3 most consistent airline sponsors of golf tournaments across major golf clubs in the country.

One may argue that it’s because the brand finds golf clubs to be viable and cost effective marketing avenues. Another may opine that it’s because Kenya is a top golf destination in Africa. Neither the former or the latter could go wrong with their opinions.

In 2021, the SkyTeam Group member — Kenya Airways — decided to throw its globally recognized weight behind the elite-labeled Access Bank Lagos City Marathon to improve the tourism outlook and ease travel logistics of the road race. For a second time, Kenya Airways made an appearance as the Official Airline of Lagos City Marathon, with a more deepened commitment to push back the frontiers of sports tourism on the continent.

It is noteworthy that Kenyan marathoners across both genders have won most of the editions its debut in 2015, but in the edition run on the 12th of February, 2022, Ethiopians gave their Kenyan opponents a run for their money, as Dagne Siranesh (female) and Darelsa Ulfata (male) won the race in women and men categories.

Darelsa finished the 42km race in 2:11:52 record time, to edge out the 2021 Kenyan champion — David Bamasai — who came second by finishing the race in 2:13:33. The Ethiopian road racer carted away the much coveted $30,000 cash prize, while Bamasai won $20,000 for his efforts.

Emmanuel Nabei — another Kenyan — finished in 3rd position, to take home a $15,000 cash prize.

2018 winners, Alemensh Herpha Guta of Ethiopia emerged the 1st runner -up with the time of 2:35:34 while Naomi Maiyo from Kenya returned the time of 2:35:44 to emerge the 2nd runner-up.

Nigerians also proved they are a force to reckon with, as Olude Fadekemi finished the 42km race in 3;00.31 to emerge the first Nigerian woman to cross the finish line. She was followed by Elizabeth Nuhu Power and Hudung Gyang Stephen who finished the race in 3;03.40 and 3;03.45 respectively.

Adamu Shehu Muazu led the pack of Nigerian men 42km race with 2;27.56 finishing time. Iliya Pam crossed the finishing line in 2;33.05 to achieve the feat of been the second Nigerian male runner to conclude the race. He was followed by Istifanus Peter Mahan, finished the race in 2;34.26.

Winners in both male and female categories (Nigerian) were rewarded with N1,000,000, N750,000 and N500,000 respectively.

Speaking to the press men at the presentation ceremony of the marathon, the Sales Manager of Kenya Airways said “We see sport as a unifying factor and a pan African carrier, we are desirous of connecting the continent one city at a time. We strongly support the acftaa and Saatm drive to make intra African connectivity seamless. We are proud to be the official carrier of the ABLCM as we continue to support African talents to achieve their potentials, while creating varied opportunity for future flyers who are the bulk of the talent you are seeing.

Kenya Airways is the only African member of the skyteam alliance and currently flies to 53 cities globally with 43 of them being African destinations.