Nilayo Sports Management Limited: Statement on 10KM Medal Distribution Following the 2026 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon

Nilayo Sports Management Limited extends its deepest appreciation to the tens of thousands of runners who participated in the 2026 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon. We remain immensely proud of every athlete’s determination and the vibrant spirit that continues to make this marathon a defining moment for Lagos and Nigeria. However, we acknowledge with sincere concern that during medal distribution following the

10KM race category, an unexpected and dangerous crowd surge occurred at the 10KM medal collection point. In the interest of protecting the safety of our runners, volunteers, and staff, medal issuance was temporarily suspended while the situation was brought under control. This decision was taken solely as a safety precaution to prevent potential injuries.

Most importantly, our hearts go out to everyone who was affected by the surge or experienced distress during this period. We understand the excitement and emotion that come with crossing the finish line, and we deeply regret any anxiety, discomfort, or inconvenience caused. We send our heartfelt wishes to all impacted participants and sincerely hope everyone remains safe and well.

We also observed a significant influx of individuals arriving at the 10KM finish area and attempting to access medals even before the 10KM race had officially commenced. In addition, there were cases of unauthorized participants, including individuals using running bibs from their previous marathon editions that were not issued for the 2026 race.

The presence of this category of illegal runners, and their desperation to obtain medals, significantly intensified congestion and contributed massively to the surge that disrupted the seamless medal collection process.

In response, we have activated robust plans for an immediate and orderly medal re-distribution exercise. In the coming days, medals will be made available for collection by verified runners. To

ensure fairness and proper control, all runners must present their original race bib at designated collection points, where strict queuing protocols, enhanced volunteer presence, and reinforced security measures will be in place.

A comprehensive schedule detailing dates, times, and the exact collection venue will be communicated across all official marathon channels shortly.

Looking ahead, we are implementing additional safeguards, including increased numbers of trained volunteers, controlled queuing barriers at distribution points, and strengthened coordination with security agencies to ensure smoother and safer post-race processes. An immediate internal review of the medal distribution framework is already underway, and we are fully committed to improving our crowd management systems.
We sincerely thank the Lagos State Government for its continued partnership and steadfast support in making the marathon a growing legacy event. We also apologise unreservedly to actual 10KM runners who were inconvenienced, and reaffirm our commitment to resolving all outstanding medal collection concerns promptly, transparently, and fairly.

We deeply value the passion and trust of our running community. Our assurance remains firm that every deserving finisher will receive their medal after due verification, and we will continue to strengthen our processes to ensure that the finish-line experience remains safe, orderly, and truly celebratory for all.

For official updates and the medal collection schedule, please consult the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon website and the marathon’s verified social media channels