This Sunday, the heart of Africa’s running capital beats louder than ever as the Nairobi City Marathon 2025 kicks off its fourth edition at Uhuru Park. Amid a dawn chorus and cityscape, over 16,000 runners, an unprecedented number, will flow through Nairobi’s iconic streets and elevated highways, marking a moment of triumph not only for athletics but for civic pride and the enduring spirit of competition.
Record-breaking participation and a new journey through the skies
The Nairobi City Marathon is not just an annual race; it’s a phenomenon. Starting from fewer than 10,000 registrants in its initial run, the marathon has seen a rapid and spirited ascent. This year, entries soared past 15,000, with organisers expecting the final tally to touch 16,000 by race day. Powerful proof that Nairobi’s premier road race has set its sights firmly on continental and global acclaim.
In a significant shift, all races, marathon, half marathon, 10km run, and 4km family fun run, will start and finish at the iconic Uhuru Park, departing from the old Nyayo National Stadium venue. This change promises not only logistical advantages but also breathes new life into the capital, inviting spectators to witness the transformative energy of running against the city skyline.
Elevated ambition and a world-class route
This year’s theme, “I Love Nairobi,” resonates deeply. The marathon’s unique route is both an ode to the city’s evolving identity and its environmental renewal. Dubbed “the only marathon run in the sky”, the course unfolds almost entirely on the Nairobi Expressway, offering runners a rare aerial perspective of Nairobi’s heartbeat, from the Intercontinental Hotel and Parliament Buildings, along Uhuru Highway and Museum Hill, to the western stretches past James Gichuru, Red Hill, and Quickmart, turning at Westlands Toll Station and heading toward Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. The final leg threads back to a triumphant finish along Processional Way near Central Park.
Eight hydration stations, spaced every five kilometres, will provide athletes with the vital support needed for peak performance in Nairobi’s challenging altitude. Importantly, the course meets World Athletics standards, and the event guarantees maximum security and safety, reassuring both runners and supporters alike.
A global stage and a star-studded elite field
The growth in numbers is matched only by the marathon’s international appeal. Participants will represent 75 countries, growing Nairobi’s reputation as a magnet for both competition and camaraderie. China leads the international contingent with 375 runners, followed by India with 103, and notable delegations from Britain, Ethiopia, Uganda, and Japan.
This year’s elite racers read like a roll call of world-class distance runners. The men’s field features two-time Paris Marathon champion Paul Lonyangata and Edward Cheserek, while among the women, Flomena Cheyech, Viola Chepngeno, and Sandrafelis Chebet Tuei add their formidable credentials to a day that promises fireworks on the tarmac.
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The richest prize purse in African road running
With the promise of Sh3.5 million each to the men’s and women’s full marathon champions, the Nairobi City Marathon now offers the continent’s largest prize, raising the stakes and attracting ever more elite talent. Such incentives place Nairobi among the premier destinations for road racing worldwide, and align with the organiser’s ambitions to eventually join the prestigious ranks of the World Marathon Majors.
A legacy for Kenya’s running powerhouse
Behind the logistics and numbers are deeply human stories, tales of discipline, resilience, and community. As Athletics Kenya President Jackson Tuwei noted, “Kenya is known globally for its great marathon runners. We currently hold both the men’s and women’s world records in marathon running. Ruth Chepngetich and the late Kelvin Kiptum are our latest global icons, carrying forward a legacy established by legends like Eliud Kipchoge.”
The preparation for this event is a narrative of commitment. Many Kenyan athletes begin their day as early as 3am, logging up to 60 kilometres before the sun has even breached the city skyline. Their routines are a testament to a nation’s virtues: dedication, sacrifice, and a relentless drive to inspire on the world stage.
Civic pride and environmental responsibility
This marathon is more than a race. It is a movement rooted in civic engagement and sustainability, with the “I Love Nairobi” theme reflected in initiatives to clean and green the capital. Every participant receives a themed T-shirt, symbolising both belonging and the broader campaign to rehabilitate public spaces such as Nairobi Dam. Supported by major sponsors like Moja Expressway, Coca-Cola, the Sports Fund, and the Government of Kenya, the race is a showcase for private-public partnership at its best.
An invitation to celebration
Organisers have called on Nairobi’s residents to become active supporters, lining the streets, cheering from balconies, and making noise that reverberates through the city’s arteries. Road closures from Saturday midnight until Sunday 3pm are a small price for a much grander payoff, an atmosphere crackling with enthusiasm, a city united in movement and purpose.
As the world tunes in to the Nairobi City Marathon 2025, it becomes clear: this race is an evolving masterpiece, blending athletic excellence with the vibrancy and emotional heartbeat of Nairobi itself. And for the runners, seasoned champions and first-timers alike, it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, a journey of personal and collective triumph that reminds us why we run, and why we watch.
