SPORTS ARENA | SUNDAY EDITION | 25 OCTOBER 2026
KIPTUM, ROTICH RULE NAIROBI MARATHON AS 30,700 RUNNERS HIT THE ROAD
KES 76 million raised for community programmes as the 23rd edition attracts participants from more than 100 nationalities.
By Jeff Kizzilah | Digital Editor
NAIROBI, Kenya, October 25, 2026 — Abraham Kiptum and Mercy Rotich emerged victorious in the men’s and women’s 42-kilometre races at the 23rd Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon, as 30,700 participants turned out for one of Kenya’s major sporting events.
Winners of the men’s 42km race at the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon 2026 (back row, from left): third-placed Mark Kibiwott, winner Abraham Kiptum and second-placed Amos Kipkemoi display their trophies and dummy prize cheques during the awards ceremony in Nairobi on Sunday. Presenting the awards (front row, from left) are World Athletics Vice President and Athletics Kenya President Jackson Tuwei (Rtd), Standard Chartered CEO and Head of Coverage Birju Sangrajka, and Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon Chairman David Mwindi.
Nahason Kipsang and Orba Chemurgor won the men’s and women’s 21km Half Marathon titles, respectively, while Alfred Kimani and Joy Cheptoyek claimed victory in the 10km races.
In the wheelchair category, Samuel Kuria and Mercyline Ajenjo secured the men’s and women’s 21km titles, respectively.
The event attracted runners representing more than 100 nationalities, including over 400 elite athletes, and was backed by a record KES 273 million in sponsorship.
MILLIONS IN PRIZE MONEY
Athletes competed for a total prize purse of KES 11.24 million, with the winners of the 42km full marathon each receiving KES 2 million.
The champions in the 21km half marathon and wheelchair races received KES 300,000 each, while the 10km winners took home KES 200,000 apiece.
Winning corporate relay and persons with disabilities (PWD) teams were each awarded KES 100,000.
The marathon route ran along Nairobi’s Southern Bypass, offering participants views of Nairobi National Park.
KES 76 MILLION FOR COMMUNITY PROGRAMMES
Beyond competition, the marathon delivered a significant contribution to community development.
According to Standard Chartered, KES 76 million raised through registration fees will support community programmes backed by the Standard Chartered Foundation.
The foundation focuses on helping young people learn, earn and grow through education, employability and entrepreneurship.
The latest contribution brings the total funds raised since the marathon began to KES 596 million. The programmes aim to expand economic opportunities, particularly for young people, women and persons with disabilities.
Standard Chartered Kenya CEO Birju Sanghrajka said the marathon connects people from different backgrounds while supporting initiatives that help young people develop skills, secure employment and grow businesses.
RUNNER SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
Organisers introduced several measures to improve the runners’ experience, including 19 hydration stations, roaming bicycle medics, muscle relief stations, enhanced post-race recovery services and downloadable digital finisher certificates.
The race also maintained its World Athletics Road Race Label standards, with selected top finishers undergoing anti-doping tests in collaboration with the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya.
In a sustainability initiative, every finisher received a tree seedling to plant. Organisers, working with Nairobi City County, are targeting the planting of 40,000 trees. Waste segregation, recycling and efforts to reduce single-use plastics also formed part of the environmental programme.
WOMEN LEAD PARTICIPATION
Women accounted for the majority of registrations, with 15,796 participants representing 51.5 per cent of the total, compared with 14,904 men.
Millennials made up 50.6 per cent of registrations, followed by Generation Z at 33.1 per cent, Generation X at 12.3 per cent and Generation Alpha at 3 per cent.
Organisers said registration closed in July after more than 30,700 entries filled the available slots, reflecting strong demand for the event.
The 2026 marathon once again combined elite competition, mass participation, community fundraising and environmental awareness, reinforcing Nairobi’s place on the international running calendar.
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