Nairobi Marathon
The Lowdown
The Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon (SCNM) is Kenya's flagship road race, held annually in October in Nairobi. Now in its 23rd edition, the event draws 30,000+ participants from nearly 100 nationalities, making it one of Africa's premier long-distance running events. The course starts outside Carnivore on the Southern Bypass Road and finishes at Uhuru Gardens, taking runners through the heart of the Kenyan capital. The race holds World Athletics World Road Race Label status and has a total prize purse of KES 15 million. The 10km is the most popular category (12,855 finishers in 2025), while the full marathon attracts a strong elite field. Satellite events are held in Mombasa, Kisumu, and Eldoret. Since inception the event has raised over 520 million KES for charitable causes, with a 2026 fundraising target of 75 million KES. The sponsor, Standard Chartered Bank, has backed the race from the outset. Registration is done online via nairobimarathon.com.
Race Day
Weather Forecast
Elevation
Terrain Profile
Relatively flat course
Participants
Field Size
World-class event
Crowd Rating
Spectator Support
Excellent spectator turnout
Uhuru Gardens (finish line)
Carnivore Restaurant area (start line)
Southern Bypass Road
Nairobi CBD
Other distances available during the event weekend:
Nairobi, Kenya
KE
Average rate for 3-star accommodations near the start line
Eligibility
- Open to local and international runners
- Wheelchair category available for athletes with disabilities
Required Documents
- Photo ID
- Proof of online registration
Entry Methods
- Online registration at nairobimarathon.com
Cancellation & Refund Policy
Review official cancellation policy at nairobimarathon.com before registering
Satellite events held in Mombasa, Kisumu, and Eldoret
Total prize money: KES 15 million
World Athletics World Road Race Label status
2025 edition had 30,602 finishers from 98 nationalities
Over 250 runners with disabilities participated in 2025
Individual entry fee: KES 2,500 (~USD 20); CEO Challenge: KES 20,000
Sponsored by Standard Chartered Bank since inception (2003)
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Community
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