Ethiopia’s Gemechu Tolosa Dana has won the 2026 PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon, while Nigeria’s Gang James set a new national record after finishing second.
Tolosa completed the 21-kilometre race in one hour, one minute and 56 seconds (1:01:56) on Saturday, just two seconds ahead of James, who clocked 1:01:58.
James’s performance earned him second place overall and set a new Nigerian national record in the men’s half marathon.
The Nigerian athlete also received a $6,000 prize for finishing second and an additional ₦1.5 million as the best Nigerian runner. Tolosa took home $8,000 for winning the race.
Speaking after the competition, James said breaking the national record in Abuja made the achievement particularly special.
“I am very happy to break the National Record. I worked so hard for this moment, and to do it here in Abuja, in front of my people, makes it even more special,” he said.
He added that competing against elite runners from Ethiopia and Kenya motivated him to deliver his best performance.
Kenya’s Lampard Kingoo finished third in 1:01:59, one second behind James, while compatriot Enos Kipruto came fourth in 1:02:06.
Uganda’s Julius Ocheng completed the top five in 1:02:27.
The race started opposite the Federal Fire Service along Mohammed Buhari Way and ended at the Velodrome of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
More than 5,000 runners took part in the third edition, including about 50 elite athletes from Nigeria, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda.
The event also featured musical performances and other entertainment activities.
By Arinzechi Chukwunonso
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