Nairobi is set to host this September as the 2025 Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon takes over the city’s streets. Now in its 22nd edition, the event is expected to attract more than 30,000 runners, making it Kenya’s biggest road race and also one of the most unifying sporting events of the year after CHAN
Participants will compete across several categories, including the full marathon, half marathon, 10km race, wheelchair race, and the popular 5km family fun run. Early registration has already crossed 16,000 runners, with many more expected to sign up before race day.
For elite competitors, the stakes remain high. At least 20 professional athletes have confirmed so far, with the list expected to grow in the coming weeks. With Kenyan stars and international marathoners on board, the race promises a fierce contest that will once again highlight Nairobi as a global athletics hub.
The 2025 Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon will feature new specialties designed to elevate the race experience, including enhanced hydration and medical points, expanded wheelchair categories, and a Corporate Relay Challenge.
Entertainment along the route, family fun activities, and eco-friendly practices such as recycling stations will add to the festive and inclusive atmosphere.
At the finish line, each category will converge in tailored celebration zones: elites in recovery areas with live coverage, 10km runners in vibrant reunion tents, wheelchair athletes in accessible finishing lanes, and families in festival-style spaces with children’s activities.
Together, the zones will transform the end of the race into a unifying hub of recovery, culture, and celebration.
But beyond competition, the marathon has become a citywide festival. Entire families show up in matching kits, corporate teams rally around the event, and cheering groups line the roads. It’s the one day Nairobi feels like it’s running together.
The purpose, however, stretches further than sport. Since 2003, the marathon has raised millions of shillings for Standard Chartered’s Futuremakers initiative, which empowers disadvantaged youth through education and entrepreneurship. Organizers say the 2025 edition will aim to push those numbers even higher.
Preparations are already in motion. Training camps are buzzing, corporates are signing up employees, and online the hashtag #RunForABetterTomorrow is gaining traction. The race director has also confirmed that major city roads will be closed off to ensure both safety and a truly unique running experience through Nairobi’s iconic streets.
From seasoned marathoners chasing personal bests to first-time runners testing their limits, the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon has something for everyone. It is this inclusivity—combined with Kenya’s unmatched running legacy—that keeps the event at the heart of the nation’s sporting calendar.