In 2016, the Bank partnered with the Lagos State Government to successfully host the maiden edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon. This partnership was aimed at providing strategic support in the area of sports whilst promoting healthy and active living through fitness and exercise. It was the first ever full Marathon in Nigeria since 1985. The event which was approved by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN),endorsed by the International Association of Athletics (IAAF) and tagged “Running from the Old to the New”, drew athletes from across the globe whilst showing the emergence of a modern city and multifaceted developments the state has witnessed since the last marathon over 30 years ago. 

The 2016 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon was ranked 2^nd in Africa immediately after the Cape Town Marathon by the All-Athletics.com. The marathon also emerged 71 amongst over 1000 international marathons globally.