Participants compete in the Nairobi City Marathon on July 6, 2025.
The fifth edition of the Nairobi City Marathon on Sunday will have a new champions in both the men’s and women’s 42km.
Men’s champion Iten-based Benson Murkomen will not defend his title. He ran in the Osaka Marathon in February, finishing fourth.
The 2024 Eldoret City Marathon champion Emily Chepkemoi won the women’s marathon after timing 2:25:52 ahead of Vivian Jerotich (2:26:33) and Lucy Chelele (2:26:37) finished second and third, respectively.
A new generation of runners will not mind one bit as they look to impress in Nairobi.
Benson Tunyo Murkomen crosses the finish line to win the men's 42km race during the Nairobi City Marathon on July 6, 2025 at Uhuru Park, Nairobi.
The men’s race has drawn a number of athletes with impressive personal bests, while the women’s field features several runners who have consistently posted strong performances on the domestic circuit.
Jonathan Korir leads in the men’s elite field with a personal best of 2:04:32 attained at the 2021 Amsterdam Marathon.
John Langat, who has run a 2:07 at the Eindhoven Marathon and Simon Kipkosgei who owns a PB of 2:07 from the 2023 Berlin Marathon are also in the mix.
Over the years, the Nairobi City Marathon has grown into one of the most prestigious road races on the continent, attracting participants from across Kenya and beyond.
This year’s race has attracted 17,450 runners from over 75 countries.
Participants compete in the 21km race during the Nairobi City Marathon on July 6, 2025.
The unique course, which runs along the Nairobi Expressway, offers athletes a rare opportunity to compete on an elevated road with an aerial view of the city.
Race organisers are optimistic that the favourable weather conditions and competitive fields could produce fast times.
“We are excited to once again host athletes in the fifth edition of Nairobi City Marathon. Over the past five years, the Nairobi City Marathon has grown tremendously, attracting elite athletes, upcoming talents, corporate teams, and recreational runners from across Kenya and around the world.
This race has become more than just a competition; it is a celebration of resilience, determination, healthy living, and the unique spirit of Nairobi,” Barnaba Korir, the race director, said.
Nelvin Jepkemboi celebrate as she crosses the finish line to win the women's 21km race race during the Nairobi City Marathon on July 6, 2025 at Uhuru Park, Nairobi.
The men’s and women’s winners in the full marathon will pocket Sh3.5million each, first runners-up Sh2.25m each and second runners-up Sh1.5m each.
The top 20 finishers in each category will receive cash prizes from a purse fund of Sh11.4 million.
The Nairobi City Marathon also has an ambitious environmental target to plant 5,000 trees
On Thursday, Athletics Kenya President Jackson Tuwei led a delegation in a symbolic tree-planting ceremony to mark a partnership aimed at tackling urban air pollution and accelerating Nairobi’s green canopy goals.
Race organisers have also installed four specialized air quality control sensors directly along the Nairobi Expressway where most of the marathon running will take place.
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