The fourth edition of the Nairobi City Marathon will feature a new starting point at Uhuru Park, replacing Nyayo National Stadium, as organisers announced a surge in entries.
The annual race will be held on Sunday.
The number of runners has grown from 13,000 in 2024 to over 15,000 this year, with expectations of reaching 16,000 today.
Competitions Director Kennedy Tanui revealed that the theme for this year’s marathon is “I Love Nairobi.”
Dubbed “the only marathon run in the sky,” the race is held entirely on the Nairobi Expressway, offering participants an aerial view of the capital city.
From fewer than 10,000 participants during its debut, the event has rapidly grown into one of Africa’s top-running competitions.
Tanui said all slots in the 42km, 21km, and 10km races have been filled, with only 500 places remaining in the 4km family fun run.
The Nairobi City Marathon now holds the distinction of offering the highest prize money for a marathon in Africa with winners of the full marathon walking away with Sh3.5 million each.
This year’s edition has drawn participants from 75 countries. China leads the foreign pack with 375 runners, followed by India with 103.
There are also significant entries from Britain, Ethiopia, Uganda, and Japan.
Notable athletes confirmed for the marathon include two-time Paris Marathon winner Paul Lonyangata, Edward Cheserek, Flomena Cheyech, Viola Chepngeno, and Sandrafelis Chebet Tuei.
The marathon is backed by several major sponsors including Moja Expressway, Coca-Cola, the Sports Fund, and the Government of Kenya.
According to the race’s Technical Director Ibrahim Hussein, the course meets World Athletics standards.
All four races will start and finish at Uhuru Park for logistical efficiency and enhanced spectator experience.
The marathon route begins at Uhuru Park, near Intercontinental Hotel and Parliament, proceeds along Uhuru Highway to Museum Hill, and merges onto the Nairobi Expressway heading west past James Gichuru, Red Hill, and Quickmart.
After a U-turn, runners re-enter the Expressway at the Westlands Toll Station and head toward the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport exit.
They make a final U-turn and run on a dedicated stretch built for the marathon, exiting at Haile Selassie, passing Central Park, and finishing along Processional Way.
World Athletics Vice President and Athletics Kenya President Jackson Tuwei described the event as a celebration of Kenya’s enduring love for long-distance running.
“Kenya is known globally for its great marathon runners. We currently hold both the men’s and women’s world records in marathon running. Ruth Chepngetich and the late Kelvin Kiptum are our latest global icons, carrying forward a legacy established by legends like Eliud Kipchoge,” said Tuwei.
Tuwei also commended Kenyan athletes for consistently raising the nation’s profile globally and called on them to continue training diligently as Kenya prepares to send a team to the World Championships in Tokyo this September.
“Most of our athletes wake up as early as 3am and cover up to 60 kilometre before the rest of the country is even awake. Their sacrifice deserves our utmost respect,” he said.
Organisers aim to elevate the Nairobi City Marathon to the level of the World Marathon Majors, and the high prize purse is a key attraction. “We want to make Nairobi a global reference point in road racing,” said Tuwei.
The event also champions civic pride and environmental sustainability under its theme “I Love Nairobi.” All participants will receive a themed T-shirt, and the marathon is part of a broader initiative to clean and green the city, including efforts to rehabilitate public spaces like Nairobi Dam.
Police representative Caroline Jerop assured participants and fans of their safety. “There will be maximum security on the day of the race,” she affirmed during the launch, while announcing road closures for affected roads will start on Saturday at midnight until Sunday 3pm.
Organizers have encouraged Nairobi residents to turn up in large numbers to cheer the runners, support the spirit of competition, and celebrate the vibrancy and resilience of their city. The Nairobi City Marathon is more than a race—it is a symbol of national pride and international excellence.
