Standard Chartered Kenya has officially launched the 23rd edition of the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon (SCNM), targeting more than 30,000 participants from over 100 nationalities. The marathon will take place at Uhuru Gardens on Sunday, 25 October 2026.
Held under the theme “Together We Run Further,” this year’s marathon aims to raise KES 76 million to support programmes delivered through the Standard Chartered Foundation, which equips young people with the skills, opportunities and resources they need to learn, earn and grow through education, employability and entrepreneurship.
Speaking during the launch, Standard Chartered Kenya Chief Executive Officer Birju Sanghrajka said the marathon continues to demonstrate the bank’s commitment to creating lasting social impact beyond banking.
“This year’s theme, ‘Together We Run Further,’ is a call on every Kenyan to challenge themselves while helping create opportunities for others. Every registration and every kilometre run contributes towards programmes that equip young people with the skills, opportunities and resources they need to learn, earn and grow,” said Sanghrajka.
“When Standard Chartered partnered with Athletics Kenya in 2003 to establish this marathon, our vision was to create a platform that brings people together, inspires participation and delivers lasting impact beyond race day. Twenty-three years later, the marathon has become a symbol of endurance, unity and shared purpose, bringing together people from across Kenya and around the world in pursuit of a common cause.”
Over the past 23 years, the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon has grown into Kenya’s premier road race and one of Africa’s leading sporting events. Since its inception in 2003, it has attracted more than 345,000 participants from around the world while serving as a platform for promoting inclusion, healthy lifestyles and community development.
Funds raised through the marathon support programmes such as Women in Tech, RISE, Links to Work, and SOMO Access to Finance, which provide young people, women and persons with disabilities with access to skills development, mentorship, professional networks, employment opportunities and entrepreneurship support.
The 2025 edition attracted 30,602 participants from 92 nationalities, including more than 200 elite athletes, while participation by persons with disabilities increased to 184 athletes, reflecting the event’s growing commitment to inclusivity.
David Mwindi, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, said the marathon continues to raise the bar for road racing in Africa.
“The Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon has earned its place among Africa’s leading road races and remains Kenya’s only World Athletics Road Race Label event. This year, we are enhancing every aspect of the participant experience—from registration and race-day operations to spectator engagement—to deliver a truly world-class event for elite athletes, recreational runners, families and corporate teams alike,” he said.
Among the key improvements is an upgraded digital registration platform that gives participants easier access to race information, training resources, route maps, fundraising tools and real-time event updates.
The 2026 Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon will feature eight race categories:
- 42km Full Marathon
- 21km Half Marathon
- 10km Road Race
- 21km Wheelchair Race
- 5km Family Fun Run
- CEO Challenge
- Corporate Challenge
- Mombasa Satellite Run
Participants will also benefit from an enhanced race-day experience featuring dedicated spectator zones, professional pacing teams, expanded hydration and nutrition stations, mobile medical support and interactive entertainment along the route.
Sustainability remains central to this year’s event. Organisers are introducing initiatives aimed at reducing waste, increasing recycling and minimising the use of single-use plastics as part of their ambition to make the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon one of the world’s most environmentally responsible road races.
In addition, every finisher will receive a tree seedling to encourage environmental conservation and create a lasting legacy beyond race day.
Registration is now open. Entry fees remain at KES 2,500 for individual participants and KES 20,000 for the CEO Challenge.
Prize Money
| Position | 42km Marathon | 21km Half Marathon | 21km Wheelchair Race | 10km Road Race |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | KES 2,000,000 | KES 300,000 | KES 300,000 | KES 200,000 |
| 2nd | KES 1,000,000 | KES 150,000 | KES 150,000 | KES 150,000 |
| 3rd | KES 500,000 | KES 100,000 | KES 100,000 | KES 100,000 |
| 4th | KES 150,000 | – | – | – |
| 5th | KES 100,000 | – | – | – |
| 6th | KES 50,000 | – | – | – |
| 7th | KES 40,000 | – | – | – |
| 8th | KES 30,000 | – | – | – |
| 9th | KES 20,000 | – | – | – |
| 10th | KES 10,000 | – | – | – |
Corporate Relay Awards
| Category | Prize |
|---|---|
| Winning Team | KES 100,000 |
| Winning Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Team | KES 100,000 |