Nairobi City Marathon attains huge milestone with highest-ever registration

The organisers’ projections indicate that the number could hit 16,000 by Thursday with only the 4km run slots left.

Race Director Kennedy Tanui confirmed the surge in registrations, highlighting the rapid growth of the event since its inception in May 2022.

“The marathon has grown in leaps and bounds and offers scenic views and unique experiences for all participants. This year’s competition has registered the highest number of competitors, which is 15,000, up from 13,000 last year,” said Tanui.

Most of the runners are from Kenya (13,379), with international participation from 75 countries, including China, India, and the United Kingdom signifying the importance of Kenyan athletes growing this annual event to continental level.

The race has drawn top-tier talent, including American-based Edward Cheserek, two-time Paris Marathon champion Paul Lonyangata, Sandrafelis Chebet, and Philomena Cheyech.

All races – the 42km, 21km, 10km, and the 4km fun run will begin at Uhuru Park away from the usual Nyayo Stadium currently undergoing renovations and take place largely along the Nairobi Expressway.

Athletics Kenya president Lt Gen (Rtd) Jackson Tuwei praised the marathon's growing global appeal.

“We aim to become a reference marathon in the next few years as we continue to attract more foreigners. Nairobi is becoming more attractive to runners globally,” he noted, encouraging locals to show up in large numbers and support the race.

This year’s theme, “I love Nairobi – Run the City you Love,” celebrates urban pride and environmental awareness.

Sustainability is a key focus, with partners such as United Nations Environment Programme [UNEP], Stockholm Environment Institute [SEI], Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry [CIFOR-ICRAF], and Roam supporting green mobility and real-time air quality monitoring.

“Like in previous editions of the marathon, SEI Africa will support Athletics Kenya in installing air quality sensors to monitor the quality of air around the marathon course and ensure the event meets the environmental standards and climate change goals provided for in the World Athletics Sustainability Strategy and the UNFCCC Sports for Climate Action Framework respectively,” Anderson Kehbila, Programme Leader for Energy and Climate Change at SEI Africa.

A total prize pool of Ksh 24 million is up for grabs with Ksh 3.5 million for the marathon winners.

To facilitate the event, the Nairobi Expressway will be closed from James Gichuru to JKIA between Saturday 10 pm and Sunday 3 pm.

Other road closures include inner lanes of Waiyaki Way, Museum Hill and Mombasa Road intersections.

National Police Service spokesperson Caroline Jerop urged residents to plan their movements early to avoid disruptions.