The winners of the elite men’s and women’s race in the 2026 Nairobi City Marathon epitomised the saying ‘’where there is a will there is a way.’’
Enock Kipkemboi won the men’s race in a personal best time of 2:09:33, while Joy Kemuma won the women’s race in 2:27:43. For their effort, they each walked away with a tidy Sh3.5 million in prize money.
To imagine that Kipkemboi had put in a block of high altitude training for the Eldoret City Marathon early in the year and was in superb shape, only for things to unravel for him during the race on April 26. He had kept pace with the leading pack and was in prime position to attack for victory at the critical 40km mark.
Enock Kipkemboi crosses the finish line to win the Nairobi City Marathon men's 42km race at Uhuru Park on June 7, 2026.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
But it all went horribly wrong for Kipkemboi when he stumbled and fell. He got up and tried to follow, but with the relentless pace pushed by the likes of Cheruiyot Koech, the eventual race winner, Leonard Kiprotich and Hosea Kiplimo, Kipkemboi just could not close the gap and decided to drop out, all his intense training seemingly thrown down the drain.
“I felt bad when I fell at the Eldoret City Marathon. But after the disappointment, I realised there was another marathon coming up in Kenya in another month’s time, and I said, why not? So, I decided to go back to training and I have been working hard because I wanted to be in a good position. I’m just excited my hard work has paid off,” said Kipkemboi, who trains in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County.
“I don’t have a coach and I usually train with a group of athletes, following a certain programme,” added Kipkemboi, who is now targeting big city marathons in the world.
It was Kipkemboi’s fifth career marathon race and second win after his victory at the 2024 Huai’an Marathon on April 21, 2024, in a then personal best time of 2:11:44.
Participants in the 21km race warm-up before the start of the Nairobi City Marathon at Nairobi City Hall Way on June 7, 2026.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
According to World Athletics records, Kipkemboi’s marathon running dates back to December 17, 2023, when he finished fifth at Hainan Danzhou Marathon in 2:20:21 in China.
He competed in three races in 2024 in China, winning Huain’an before finishing 12th at Hangzhou in 2:15:24 and fifth at Shoaxing Marathon in 2:21:56.
For Kemuma, who trains in Kapsabet, her story goes further back. It all started last year when she had high hopes of challenging for a podium place in the same marathon, but faded to finish a distant 13th in a time of 2:31:41. To appreciate the time gaps, the race was won by Emily Chepkemoi in a time of 2:25:45.
Joy Kemuma crosses the finish line to win the Nairobi City Marathon women's 42km race at Uhuru Park on June 7, 2026.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
She trained hard for this year’s Eldoret City Marathon but could only manage a fifth-placed finish in 2:32:24. They say elite marathoners should race a competitive marathon once every four months or so.
What did Kemuma do? She immediately resumed training for the Nairobi City Marathon and finally, not only achieved her podium finish goal, but also the number one position.
“I’m so excited today after winning this race because I prepared well back at home. After competing at the Eldoret City Marathon in April, I still had some energy and went on with my training and my target was to run the Nairobi City Marathon,” said Kemuma, a mother of one.
Kemumo finished ninth in the 2023 Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon in a time of 2:37:38 before winning the race the following year in a vastly improved time of 2:30:06.
Robert Kwambai finished second in yesterday’s Nairobi City Marathon men’s race in 2:09:51, while Shadrack Kenduiywo finished third in 2:09:55.
