Lagos City Marathon Unveils Exciting New Route For 11th Edition

The Access Bank Lagos City Marathon (ABLCM) is set to embark on a thrilling new chapter as organisers reveal a completely redesigned race route for its momentous 11th edition, scheduled for Saturday, 14th February 2026.

In a pioneering move for Africa’s premier road race, the 42km marathon will now commence at ORCA Mall on Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island. The course will then weave through sections of the impressive Lagos–Calabar Coastal Road, culminating at the iconic Eko Atlantic City, a testament to Lagos’s position as Africa’s vibrant road racing hub.

This strategic alteration to the route signifies the dawn of a new decade for the marathon, with a focus on enhancing the athlete experience, showcasing modern infrastructure, and crafting a fresh narrative that firmly places Lagos on the global stage as a rapidly ascending world city.

Following ten editions on a well-established course that has become deeply ingrained in Nigeria’s sporting fabric, organisers state that the revitalised route respects the marathon’s rich heritage while injecting new vigour, intrigue, and spectacle for runners, spectators, and international audiences alike. The incorporation of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Road also provides a spectacular platform to highlight one of Nigeria’s most ambitious infrastructure projects through a World Athletics Gold Label race, viewed worldwide.

“The 11th edition is more than just another race; it signifies evolution,” remarked Mrs Yetunde Olopade, MD/CEO of Nilayo Sports Management Limited, proprietors of ABLCM. “The new route enables us to reimagine the marathon experience while upholding our core values of excellence, safety, and world-class execution.”

As a World Athletics Gold Label event, the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon consistently attracts elite athletes globally, alongside thousands of recreational runners, and garners extensive local and international media coverage.

Beyond the competitive aspect, the race continues to serve as a powerful platform for sports tourism, urban storytelling, youth engagement, and the advocacy of healthy lifestyles.

While the headline-making 42km route has been refreshed for the 11th edition, the 10km race will maintain its customary course, ensuring familiarity for participants in that category.

Further details, including comprehensive route maps, athlete updates, and race-day logistics, will be disseminated through official Access Bank Lagos City Marathon channels.