By Athletics Kenya Media Team
The fifth edition of the Nairobi City Marathon, set for June 7, is shaping up to be its biggest yet after attracting a record 17,000 participants from 75 nationalities.
The event has subsequently received a significant Ksh 5 million sponsorship boost from the National Bank of Kenya. This year’s edition will feature the 42km full marathon, 21km half marathon, 10km and 5km categories.
Race director Barnaba Korir revealed that this year’s registration reached capacity in just three weeks after the application portal was opened.
”In three weeks, the registration was full. The numbers have gone to levels we did not envisage. This year, we have surpassed every record set before. We have 17,000 registered runners so far, and we have now closed registration. The focus is on organising a successful event,” Korir said.
How the Nairobi City Marathon has grown
Korir pointed to the marathon’s steady upward trajectory since its launch in 2021.
”When we started, we only had 10,000 runners, which was remarkable at the time. Then we grew to 13,000, then 15,000. Each year, the positive impact has been overwhelming.”
This year’s event has also received a major financial lift, with National Bank of Kenya injecting Sh5 million into the race.
”We have walked this journey with Athletics Kenya since its inception. We have invested in this event for a while and are pleased with its growth,” said Bernadette Ngara, National Bank of Kenya’s board member for marketing, digital and corporate communications.
Korir noted that the fifth edition is not just about numbers but about strengthening Nairobi’s standing among the world’s premier marathon destinations.
”This is a marathon that belongs to Nairobi. Five years ago, we dared to dream of a marathon that would put Nairobi on the global running stage. Today, that dream is a reality. The Nairobi City Marathon has become a trademark of this city.”
He also unveiled this year’s theme, “Feel the Pulse of Nairobi,” describing it as a fitting expression of the race’s growing identity and energy.
Which top athletes will race at the Nairobi City Marathon?
The race has also assembled a strong elite field headlined by Jonathan Korir, who holds a 2:04:32 personal best. Korir is also fresh from a third-place finish at the Barcelona Marathon in March, where he timed 2:05:27. The men’s 42km contest will also feature 2025 Montreal Marathon runner-up John Langat, while the half-marathon line-up includes 2025 Loop Den Haag runner-up Felix Masai.
Adding to the event’s international flavour, runners from 75 nationalities, including Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Rwanda, the USA, Japan and South Africa, are expected on the start line.
This year’s edition will also introduce a change in venue logistics, with City Hall Way earmarked as the start point for all race categories, while Uhuru Park remains the finish venue.
”This year our finish is the same as last year, at Uhuru Park. This is because the area at Uhuru Park is wide enough to handle warm-ups, cool-downs and entertainment,” technical liaison George Kariuki said.
”We have a slight change this year. We will be entering the CBD for the start of all races at City Hall Way, an iconic place for Nairobi dwellers.”
A total prize purse of Sh24 million remains on offer, with winners of the men’s and women’s full marathon races each set to pocket Sh3.5 million. Second and third-place finishers will earn Ksh 2.25 million and Ksh 1.5 million, respectively.
