Kandie wins Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon, hopes for global breakthrough

Mercy Kandie has always dreamt of competing in some of the world’s best marathon races but has never had a major breakthrough.

The 27-year-old now hopes to win the women's race at Sunday's 23rd Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon and open a new chapter in her running career.

After finishing 20th in the half marathon during the 2023 Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon, Kandie was in her best form, winning the women’s 42km race in a time of 2:31:25.

Kandie, who had prepared for four months in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet, dropped the rest of the pack after the 25km mark before going all the way to win the race staged on the Southern Bypass before ending at the Uhuru Gardens.

She went ahead up until 10km where the chasing pack joined her for an exciting exchange for the next 15km before she left her challengers behind.

“It feels great to win on my (full) marathon debut, having taken a shot in the half marathon,” said Kandie, who attributed her success to hard work and training in the hilly part of Iten. “The course in Nairobi is hilly in some areas, and it has worked well for me.”

It’s Kandie’s dream now to secure an invite to some of the World Major Marathon races like New York, London and Berlin in the near future.

"I am yet to run outside Kenya, and I think this is the right time," said Kandie, who has no coach or management.

Kandie saw off the 2021 Rome Marathon champion Peris Jerono to second place in 2:31:27 as Ruth Wakabu, who finished ninth last season, settled third this time around in 2:31:36.

“It wasn’t easy…I encountered some stomach upsets after 8km, forcing me to sneak to the washrooms before joining the pack,” said Jerono, who is fresh from finishing third at Kaptagat Forest Marathon in July.

Competing in her third half marathon race this year, Orba Chemurgor had her act in place to win the women’s 21km race in 1:11:55, edging out Esther Borua and Mercy Kimaiyo to second and third places in 1:12:54 and 1:14:34 respectively.

Chemurgor finished 13th at the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon in 1:10:12 in February in the United Arab Emirates and fourth at the Gutenberg Half Marathon in 1:09:21 in Germany in May.

Women’s 42km

1.     Mercy Kandie Rotich 2:31:25

2.     Peris Jerono 2:31:27

3.     Ruth Wakabu 2:31:36

4.     Shyline Jepkorir 2:34:35

5.     Dorothy Kipkilach 2:36:38

Women’s 21km

1.     Orba Chemurgor 1:11:55

2.     Esther Borua 1:12:54

3.     Mercy Kimaiyo 1:14:34

4.     Sharon Cherono 1:15:23

5.     Irene Mkungu 1:15:29

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