Nigerian famous long-distance couple, Emmanuel Gyang Pam and Deborah Pam have written their names in the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, ACLSports reports.
The husband and wife became the first-ever couple to Nigerian couple to win the Lagos Marathon after crossing the 42km finish line during the 2020 edition on Saturday.
Emmanuel Gyang was the first Nigerian and 33rd overall to complete the race in a time of 2 hours, 25 minutes and 30 seconds in the Men’s category.
In the Women’s category, Gyang’s wife, Deborah, finished 20 minutes later after her husband to become the first Nigerian to cross the line with a time of 2 hours, 45 minutes and 17 seconds.
With the result, Gyang wins his first-ever title as the first Nigerian athlete to complete the 42km race, while his wife, Deborah, has successfully defended her crown for the third consecutive year.
The couple will take home N3 Million which is the prize money for the winners of the Nigerian category.
David Barmasai Juwo smashes Lagos City Marathon record as Kenya dethrone Ethiopia
Meanwhile, in the full category, Ethiopia has lost out at the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon after two of her athletes lost their titles to Kenya.
Sintayahu Legese lost his 2019 title in the Men’s category after David Barmasai Juwo’s recording winning performance at the 2020 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon.
Juwo reigned supreme at the City Marathon after he dusted all comers in record time to take home the coveted prize.
The 2011 Dubai Marathon champion was the first to cross the finish line in a time of 2 hours, 10 minutes and 35 seconds to smash the competition record set by compatriot, Abraham Kiprotich 2hrs: 13mins, 14secs in 2018.
In the Women’s Category of the full Marathon, another Ethiopian, Dinke Meseret lost her crown to first-timer, Sharon Cherop of Kenya, also in record time.
Cherop finished with a time of 2 hours, 31 minutes and 38 seconds to set a course record with Ethiopia’s Urisa Kebena ensuring it was not an all Kenyan affair as she finished second ahead of Kenya’s Rodah Tamui in third.
For their reward, Juwo will take home the $70,000 in prize money, $50, 000 for winning the men’s category and $20,000 for breaking the record, according to the organisers.
Cherop is expected to take home $50, 000 for winning the women’s event, while $40, 000 and $30, 000 will be for second and third respectively.
