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USIU Half Marathon lives up to the billing
Mary Munanu celebrates her victory during the USIU-Africa Half Marathon in Nairobi on July 26, 2026.
What you need to know:
- The race attracted close to 3,000 participants, a huge improvement from the inaugural edition that attracted 1,000 runners last year.
- United States International University-Africa launched the marathon last year to raise funds to support needy students at the institution.
The 2025 Los Angeles Marathon silver medallist Athanus Kioko and 2025 Ostrava Golden Marathon champion, Mary Munanu, are the champions of this year’s USIU - Africa Half Marathon races.
The race lived up to its billing as one of the top competitions in its category, attracting close to 3,000 participants, a huge improvement from the inaugural edition that attracted 1,000 runners last year.
Kioko, 31, dropped the field midway and ran for long spells on his own, storming to victory in one hour, 05 minutes and 29 seconds. Kelvin Kemboi from Eldoret finished second in 1:0:51.
Athanas Kioko celebrates his victory during the USIU-Africa Half Marathon in Nairobi on July 26, 2026.
The United States International University-Africa (USIU-Africa) launched the marathon last year to raise funds to support needy students at the institution. It is held under the theme “Miles for Education.”
More than 3,000 participants graced this year’s event, which is an improvement from the inaugural race that attracted 1,000 last year.
“I have been training all a long and when I heard about this race and its noble course, I decided to try my luck,” said Kioko, who trains at Karura in Nairobi.
Kioko, who paced Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo to victory in 2024 Chicago Marathon in the second fastest time on the course of 2:02:23, said his victory is a manifestation that he has regained top form.
Freshia Muhura, 74, displays her medal after competing in the USIU-Africa Half Marathon in Nairobi on July 26, 2026. She was the oldest participant in the race.
“I have had a recurring Achilles tendon injury but I have gone. I felt comfortable with the five kilometres and I decided to go for it halfway,” Kioko, who finished seventh in 2:17:43 at the Los Angeles Marathon in March this year, observed.
“I didn’t perform well in Los Angeles because of the Achilles tendon but it feels okay now,” said Kioko, who is eyeing several half marathon races this year before turning to full marathon next year.
“I don’t want to pace anymore at the World Marathon Majors like Chicago Marathon but to be part of the main menu. I paced Kiplimo at a 2:04 pace until the 30km mark. It shows I’m ready for the big stage.”
After playing second fiddle last year, Munanu, who is fresh from winning the Linz Marathon in Austria in April, defied chilly conditions to win.
Fresh from finishing second at Linz Marathon in April in 2:26:01, the Nakuru-based Munanu chalked a new course record time of 1:11:47, beating Nympha Kiteta from Ngong to second place in 1:13:04. Munanu erased the previous winning time of 1:13:05 set by Catherine Mwanzau during the inaugural race last year.
Participants go through Zumba Dance at the conclusion of the second edition of the USIU-Africa Half Marathon in Nairobi on July 26, 2026.
The university’s vice chancellor, Professor Mwenda Ntarangwi said they hope to raise more than Sh5 million for 50 needy students this year from the “Miles for Education” initiative.
“We want to support students, who may, for any reason, are not be able to afford or complete some of their studies,” Prof Ntarangwi said. He appealed for more support for the imitative.
Jasper Amboye clocked 35:55.6 to win the men’s 10km race, beating Alex Mambo to second place by three seconds as Samuel Lenguro timed 36: 16.3 for third place.
Esther Kioko claimed women's 10km victory in 39:35.9 as Lucy Njeri and Vivian Chepkoech finished in second and third places in 41:28.0 and 49:23.4 respectively.
The race was sponsored by Nation Media Group, Brookside Dairy, Family Bank, Stanbic Bank, Bank of Africa, MetroCare, Mivida Homes, CFAO Mobility, Woolworth, Carbacid Investments, Enda Sportswear, Lake Bogoria Spa Resort, among others.
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