Kenya’s Namutala, Jepkemoi Win Abuja City Half Marathon

Kenya’s duo of Kephar Namutala, and Mercy Jepkeoi emerged the winners of the 2025 Premium Trust bank Abuja City Half marathon in Abuja on Saturday.

The trio of Kephar Namutala, Edwin Kipyago, Ezekiel chepkovomi swept the men’s top three medals.

Namutala won the race in a time of 1:05:14:45 to go home with the cash prize of 8000 US dollars while his country man Kipyago finished second in a time of 1:05:39:73 and a cash prize of 6000 US Dollars.

Ezekiel Chepkoromi finished third in a time of 1:06:05:09 winning the cash prize of 5000 US dollars.

Nigeria’s Adamu Shehu was Nigeria’s best performance as he emerged overall 4th in a time of 1:08:25:49, and won a double cash prize of 2 million Naira and 4000 US dollars for finishing in the overall top eight.

Another Nigerian, Auta Monday finished 8th on the overall standing and second in the Nigeria category in a time of 1:09:45::96 to go home with a double cash reward of 500 US dollars and 1.5 million Naira.

Friday Elisha was Nigeria’s third best performer in a time of 1:10:30:52 in the men’s category.

In the Women’s category, Kenya’s Mercy Jepkemoi won the race in a time of 1:14:53:23 while Nigeria’s duo of Shambor Blessing and Akusho Lydia made a historic feat by finishing second and third respectively in a time of 1:16:28:69 and 1:16:34:67.

Chairman of the National Sports Commission, NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko commended the Organisers of the race, Nilayo Sport Management limited for continually raising the bar of road races in Nigeria with premium organisation of the race.

He said: “It’s quite brilliant what we are seeing here and it clearly aligns with our vision at the Sports commission. If we take this kind of event very seriously it can give Nigeria a comparative advantage in road racing in the near future”.

Director General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, also expressed confidence that Nigeria will soon be a force to be reckoned with when it comes to producing elite long distance runners because of international marathons of this quality.

“The feasibility that the organisers, Nilayo Sports, are giving to long distance in Nigeria is highly commended and Premium Trust bank Abuja City marathon is another success story that will be remembered for a long time”.

The Premium Trust bank Abuja city international half marathon was awarded a bronze labelled status by World Athletics before the 2025 edition.

This feat is a fulfilment to the rapid growing stature of the race which is just in its second edition after a highly successful first edition in 2024.