Nairobi Marathon: Athletes from 92 Countries set for Sunday event

By Peter Ochieng

It is all systems go ahead of the 21st edition of the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon, set for Sunday, October 27, 2024.

Peter Gitau, chairman of the Local Organizing Committee said 25, 000 athletes from 92 countries are ready for the marathon.

“This year we have exceeded our expected target of participants having registered 25,000 runners from 92 countries. We expect to have a highly successful marathon,” he said.

The organisers have raised the prize money for the second-place finishers in the 42km race from Sh750,000 to Sh1 million. The prize money for winners remains Sh2 million. Gitau said third-place earnings will be Sh500,000.

Winners in the 21km race will be awarded Sh300,000, second place finishers will walk home with Sh200,000 while those who finish in the third position will walk home Sh150,000 richer, for both the men and women categories.

Joyce Kibe, Standard Chartered Bank Head of Corporate Affairs, Brand and Marketing said, “All proceeds from the #StanChartNairobiMarathon all towards our Future makers community impact program to help young people learn, earn and grow. The marathon has since generated Sh.95 million for this program.”

Organisers have already given a list of some of Nairobi’s major roads which will be temporarily closed during the event. They will be closed from October 26 at 11:00pm to 1:30pm on Sunday.

They include Southern Bypass and Lang’ata Road, parts of Ngong Road, Mombasa Road, Likoni Road, Lenana Road, and Waiyaki Way.

Alternative routes include Waiyaki Way to CBD, Lang’ata Road-City Stadium to CBD, Ngong’ Road interchange (lower deck) as well as Dagoretti Road.

The first event of the day, the wheelchair run, begins at 5:45 am, followed by: 42km (6:00 am); 21km (7:20 am); 10km (8:45 am) and 5km (10:00 am).