The 22nd edition of the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon on Sunday reaffirmed its position as Kenya’s largest sporting and community event, drawing a record 30,602 participants from 92 nationalities and raising KES 76 million for community programmes — the highest amount ever collected from a single-day event in the country.
Kenya’s Bernard Chepkwony and Hellen Chepkorir claimed victory in the men’s and women’s 42km races in times of 2:11:01 and 2:27:17, respectively. Joshua Kithuku (1:02:35) and Fridah Rerimoi (1:14:23) topped the 21km category, while Shadrack Musyoka (29:01) and Nelvin Jepkemboi (33:04) won the 10km races. In the wheelchair category, John Wambua and Mary Tatu Jared triumphed in the men’s and women’s 21km races.
The marathon, which featured six race categories, recorded a surge in participation across all events, with the 10km race attracting the largest turnout at 12,855 runners, up from 10,276 last year. Participation by persons with disabilities rose to 184, reflecting a growing commitment to inclusivity.
According to Kariuki Ngari, Managing Director and CEO of Standard Chartered Kenya & Africa, this year’s marathon emphasized sustainability and inclusion, with amenities such as mothers’ rooms and nursing stations introduced along the route.
“The Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon goes beyond competition — it transforms lives,” Ngari said. “Over 22 years, proceeds now totaling KES 925 million have supported education, employability, and entrepreneurship across Kenya.”
Beyond its social footprint, the marathon contributed an estimated KES 229 million to the national economy, demonstrating the power of sports to stimulate local tourism, business, and innovation.
The event’s prestige continues to grow globally. Since earning the World Athletics Road Race Label in 2023, the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon has attracted an increasingly international field of over 200 elite athletes, bolstering Kenya’s reputation as a world leader in road racing.
To ensure integrity in competition, the marathon partnered with the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) to test top finishers. The event, which holds a World Athletics Road Race Label, attracted more than 200 elite athletes from Kenya and abroad.
With support from more than 40 sponsors and partners, the marathon continues to exemplify how sport can be a force for positive change — fostering inclusion, empowering youth, and strengthening communities nationwide.
All proceeds will go towards the Futuremakers initiative, which empowers youth, women, and persons with disabilities to learn, earn, and grow.
