Standard Chartered Marathon Raises Sh76 Million as 30,700 Runners Take Over Nairobi

The 23rd Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon attracted 30,700 runners from more than 100 nationalities on Sunday, October 25, 2026, raising Sh76 million for community programmes targeting young people, women and persons with disabilities.

The event, backed by a record Sh273 million in sponsorship, brought together more than 400 elite athletes and recreational runners for competitions along Nairobi’s Southern Bypass, with views of Nairobi National Park.

Abraham Kiptum won the men’s 42km full marathon, while Mercy Rotich claimed the women’s title. Nahason Kipsang and Orba Chemurgor won the men’s and women’s 21km half-marathon races, respectively.

In the 10km race, Alfred Kimani and Joy Cheptoyek emerged victorious, while Samuel Kuria and Mercyline Ajenjo won the men’s and women’s 21km wheelchair races.

The competition offered a total prize purse of Sh11.24 million, with the full marathon champions each receiving Sh2 million. Winners in the half-marathon and wheelchair races earned Sh300,000 each, while the 10km champions took home Sh200,000 apiece.

Corporate relay and persons with disabilities teams also received Sh100,000 each for their respective victories.

Standard Chartered Kenya Chief Executive Officer Birju Sanghrajka said the marathon was designed to turn sporting participation into lasting opportunities for communities.

“This marathon brings the world to Nairobi and turns a shared passion for running into opportunities that last beyond race day,” Sanghrajka said.

He added that funds raised would support programmes under the Standard Chartered Foundation, which helps young people acquire skills, secure employment and grow businesses through education, employability and entrepreneurship initiatives.

The Sh76 million raised this year brings the total amount generated by the marathon since its inception to Sh596 million.

Organisers also introduced measures to improve runners’ experience, including 19 hydration stations, roaming bicycle medics, muscle relief stations and enhanced post-race recovery services.

Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon Local Organising Committee Chairman David Mwindi said the event prioritised runners’ safety, accurate timing, medical support and fair competition.

He noted that the marathon’s World Athletics Road Race Label reflected standards maintained in course measurement, timing, medical care and anti-doping procedures. Selected top finishers underwent testing in collaboration with the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya.

The event also incorporated environmental initiatives, with every finisher receiving a tree seedling as part of a target to plant 40,000 trees in partnership with Nairobi City County. Organisers also implemented waste segregation, recycling and measures to reduce single-use plastics.

Women accounted for 51.5 per cent of registrations, with 15,796 participants compared with 14,904 men. Millennials formed the largest age group, accounting for 50.6 per cent of registered runners, while Generation Z represented 33.1 per cent.

Registration closed in July after more than 30,700 entries filled the available slots, highlighting growing demand for the annual sporting event.

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