The Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon has announced plans for a bigger and more impactful 2026 edition following a successful 2025 race that drew over 30,000 participants from more than 90 countries and generated significant economic and social benefits.
Speaking during an award and launch event in Nairobi, marathon officials, Joyce Kibe, the Head of Corporate Affairs and Brand Marketing, highlighted the race’s growing global stature and its contribution to community development, while also reaffirming a zero-tolerance stance on doping.
Kibe reported that the marathon has evolved into a key platform for both athletic excellence and social impact.
“This is our 23rd edition of the marathon, and what stands out most for me is the impact we continue to create. Since 2003, we have had over 300,000 runners participate and raised more than half a billion dollars towards community projects,” stated Kibe.
In addition, she revealed that the 2025 marathon alone generated approximately Sh453 million in economic impact for Nairobi, benefiting sectors such as hospitality, transport, and small businesses.
She further added that the marathon continues to promote inclusivity, with participation by elite athletes as well as persons with disabilities.
“We had about 200 elite athletes and 184 persons with disabilities taking part, which shows our commitment to inclusivity,” Kibe disclosed.
According to the Head of Corporate Affairs and Brand Marketing, the event also marked a transition in the marathon’s social impact initiatives, with the rebranding of its charitable arm to the Standard Chartered Foundation, aimed at aligning more closely with the bank’s global strategy.
“Our focus is to bring clients closer to impact. Every time someone registers for the marathon, they are contributing to changing lives in our communities,” she asserted.
Making his remarks, President of Athletics Kenya (AK) Jackson Tuwei commended the marathon’s growth over the past 23 years, describing it as a model event that has elevated Kenya’s global sporting reputation.
“This marathon started as a community run and has grown into a world class event. It has made a significant difference in this country and contributed to Kenya’s prominence in global athletics,” Tuwei recalled.
However, he observed that while participation numbers have grown steadily, future focus should shift towards increasing the number of finishers.
“The global benchmark is now about how many runners finish the race; not just how many start. We must aim to improve our completion rates as we grow,” he reiterated.
In this regard, Tuwei cited international comparisons, noting that the London Marathon recorded over 56,000 finishers in 2025, setting a global standard.
The AK President however raised concerns over doping, revealing that one athlete from the 2025 race had been provisionally suspended.
In this context, Tuwei issued a strong warning, calling for collective responsibility among athletes and stakeholders.
“Doping is a menace that spoils the sport, damages the athlete’s health, and tarnishes the country’s image. We must all say no to doping,” he rallied.
Equally, Tuwei urged athletes to uphold integrity and adhere to regulations, including proper clearance before participating in international races.
“Do not travel for competitions without clearance from Athletics Kenya. It is for your own safety and protection,” he cautioned, citing recent cases of athletes stranded abroad due to non-compliance.
Beyond athletics, Tuwei encouraged runners to focus on financial discipline and long-term planning, highlighting the importance of education, investment, and family welfare.
“There is life beyond running. Take care of your finances, invest wisely, and secure your future,” he advised.
On his part, David Mwindi, the Local Organizing Committee Chair of the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon, lauded the athletes for their dedication and emphasised the marathon’s role in nurturing talent.
“This marathon has become a major platform for developing athletic talent in this country. We encourage more runners to register especially for the 42-kilometre race”, he encouraged.
In the meantime, organisers also announced plans to introduce financial literacy sessions for athletes, aimed at equipping them with skills to manage earnings and contracts effectively.
Looking ahead, stakeholders expressed optimism that the 2026 marathon will be ‘bigger, bolder, and better’, with increased participation and enhanced community impact.
“We have already begun planning, and therefore, I can confidently say that this year’s edition will surpass previous ones,” Tuwei announced in a quick rejoinder.
“As a World Athletics accredited race, we must ensure fairness and integrity, unfortunately, we still see a few cases of athletes attempting to take shortcuts through doping, we urge all participants to compete clean,” he added.
Tuwei maintained that the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon remains one of Africa’s premier road races, combining sport, philanthropy, and economic empowerment, and continues to position Nairobi as a key destination on the global athletics calendar.
by Celestine Lomolijah
