Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon Unites Kenya in Record-Breaking 22nd Edition
Participation by persons with disabilities rose to 184 runners from 146 in 2024, representing the event’s growing inclusivity.
Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon 42km women winner Hellen Chepkorir (middle) receives a dummy cheque from Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano along with Naomi Chepkorir (left) who clinched second position and Scholastica Chepkemboi third respectively. Photo/courtesy.
By Brenda Muriithi
The 22nd annual Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon was something more than a show of physical stamina — it was a celebratory demonstration of the unity, perseverance, and welcoming nature of Kenya. Thousands of runners and spectators came together on Sunday to participate in the event, transforming Nairobi into a source of hope and togetherness.
Local athletes Bernard Chepkwony and Hellen Chepkorir swept the men’s and women’s 42km races respectively, adding their names to Kenya’s top marathoners. But beyond competition, the event was a show of how sports can propel social change and elevate communities far beyond the finish line.
This year’s marathon achieved a record by generating KES 76 million for community programmes — the highest ever generated from a single day sporting activity in Kenya. The marathon has contributed more than KES 925 million to good causes since 2003, through Standard Chartered’s Futuremakers initiative. The initiative has been focused on enabling youth, women, and people with disabilities through education, employability, and entrepreneurship.
One of this year’s notable aspects was its emphasis on inclusivity. Participation by persons with disabilities rose to 184 runners from 146 in 2024, representing the event’s growing inclusivity. For the first time in top races on the African continent, organizers also set up mothers’ rooms and nursing stations on the marathon route and at the event site.
We intended all the participants, whoever they were, wherever they were from, whatever age, ability, or background, to feel that this event was for them. Going beyond medals, this marathon is about the difference it makes — lives changed and communities changed,” stated Kariuki Ngari, Standard Chartered Kenya and Africa Managing Director and CEO.
The global coverage of the marathon continued to expand, with runners from 92 countries, including Uganda, Tanzania, China, the United States of America, and the United Kingdom. Kenya’s sole World Athletics Road Race Label-accredited race, Nairobi Marathon continues to promote the country on the world athletics front.
Economically, the event injected an estimated KES 229 million into the Kenyan economy, highlighting the potential of sport as a social and economic development force. Over 200 elite athletes competed in six categories of races, including the 42km standard race to the 5km Family Fun Run and Corporate Relay Challenge.
The marathon also partnered with the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) to ensure integrity in sport, subjecting top finishers in every age group to test for outlawed drugs.
But the biggest victory is what follows — pouring every shilling raised into the future of Kenya’s young people. From funding inclusive education to empowering proprietors of small businesses, the impact of the marathon will continue to echo long after the line of finishers has evaporated.
As the sun fell behind Uhuru Gardens and the shouts of the gathering faded away, one thing stood tall: the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon is not just about running — it’s about running for change.
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