This year’s Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon raised Sh76 million for community programmes, the biggest amount raised from an annual one-day event in Kenya.
To date, the event has raised over Sh925 million for charity.
The 22nd edition of the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon saw Kenya’s Bernard Chepkwony and Hellen Chepkorir triumph in the men’s and women’s 42km individual races, clocking 2:11:01 and 2:27:17 respectively.
Joshua Kithuku and Fridah Rerimoi won the 21km in men and women category in 1:02:35 and 1:14:23.
Shadrack Musyoka and Nelvin Jepkemboi won the 10km marathon, clocking 29:01 and 33:04. John Wambua and Mary Tatu Jared won the men and women 21km wheelchair races in 1:29:25 and 1:49:47 respectively.
This year’s Sunday event attracted a record number of participants, with 30,602 runners from 92 nationalities and saw an increase of participants across all the races. Over 200 elite athletes competed, representing a diverse pool of talent from Kenya and across the region.
Participation of persons with disabilities (PWDs) increased to 184 from 146 in 2024. The 10km race had the highest number of participants, rising to 12,855 from 10,276 in 2024. The top 5 nationalities that participated in 2025 include Kenya, followed by Uganda, Tanzania, China, United States and United Kingdom
This year’s Marathon featured six distinct race categories: 42km men and women, 21km men and women, 10km men and women, 21km wheelchair men and women, the 5km Family Fun Run, and the Corporate Relay Challenge.
Speaking at the conclusion of the event on Sunday, Standard Chartered Managing Director & CEO Kenya & Africa Kariuki Ngari said that the 22nd edition of the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon has been remarkable, marked by a significant rise in elite runners, sponsors, and overall participation.
Ngari said that this year, their focus was on hosting an inclusive and sustainable event and “through our partners, we have once again supported this commitment by providing mothers’ rooms and nursing stations along the route and at the venue, ensuring comfort for parents and their children throughout the marathon”.
“With the backing of over 40 sponsors and partners, we successfully delivered an exceptional experience for all participants” he said adding that the marathon goes beyond the race itself and that for the past 22 years, its true impact has been reflected in how marathon proceeds have transformed the lives of Kenyans,” he noted.
Standard Chartered partnered with the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) to ensure results were credible through doping tests conducted on the top finishers in the 42km, 21km, 10km, and Wheelchair Race categories.
In collaboration with Athletics Kenya, the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon secured the prestigious World Athletics Road Race Label in 2023. This means that runners could compete at their best and be ranked against other elite athletes globally.
All proceeds from the marathon go towards the Standard Chartered’s Future makers community initiative that empowers the next generation to learn, earn and grow by focusing on education, employability and entrepreneurship.
By Anita Omwenga
