Lagos, NG · Sunday 26 April 2026
The Access Lagos City Marathon takes runners through Nigeria's bustling coastal city on February 14th, 2026. Lagos offers the energy and chaos of a major African metropolis, where colonial architecture sits alongside modern developments and the Atlantic provides a constant reminder of the city's maritime character. The race route captures different facets of the city, from its busy streets to quieter residential areas, giving participants a genuine sense of place rather than a sanitised loop. The course is a trail marathon that stays largely flat with gentle rolling sections, gaining only 80 metres across the entire distance. Elevation ranges from sea level up to 24 metres, which means you're not fighting serious hills, but the undulation keeps things from becoming monotonously flat. Runners should expect the typical challenges of a trail event in a tropical setting: variable footing, humidity, and the unpredictable urban environment of Lagos itself. The relatively modest elevation profile makes this a reasonable option for runners looking to chase a time rather than simply finish, though the trail surface and Lagos heat will still demand respect.
Adjusted Time
4:32:53
Time difference: +32.9 minutes compared to a flat, road, temperate course.
Access Lagos City Marathon is a full marathon held in Lagos, NG, scheduled for Sunday 26 April 2026. The course is run on trail surface with 80m of total elevation gain, reaching a maximum altitude of 24m above sea level. For registration and full race details, visit the official Access Lagos City Marathon website.
This is a very flat course with only 80m of total elevation gain across the full distance. The course ranges from 0m to 24m above sea level — a 24m elevation range that makes it one of the flatter races available. Runners targeting a personal best will appreciate the minimal climbing.
Access Lagos City Marathon is a trail race, meaning the course includes unpaved surfaces such as dirt, gravel, or forest paths. Trail surfaces are inherently slower than road courses due to uneven footing, technical sections, and often steeper gradients. Trail-specific shoes with good grip are recommended, and runners should expect a finish time 10-20% slower than their equivalent road marathon time.
Our difficulty rating for Access Lagos City Marathon is calculated using a model that combines elevation gain, temperature impact, and surface type. Use the difficulty calculator above to enter your target finish time and see exactly how many minutes this course would add or subtract compared to a perfectly flat, cool, road-based marathon. Faster runners and slower runners are affected differently by the same course conditions, so the difficulty is personalised to your pace.
Looking for an easier marathon or a tougher challenge? You can also compare Access Lagos City Marathon against other marathons to find the right race for your goals.