Nairobi City Marathon to Start at Iconic Uhuru Park

Systems go for Nairobi City Marathon. (Credit: Imago)

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Systems go for Nairobi City Marathon. (Credit: Imago)

Nairobi City Marathon to Start at Iconic Uhuru Park

Stephen Awino 09:30 - 04.07.2025

The Nairobi City Marathon returns this Sunday with a record-breaking field and a new route.

The fourth edition of the Nairobi City Marathon is set to take place on Sunday with a new starting and finishing point at Uhuru Park, shifting from the previously used Nyayo National Stadium.

The change comes amid a sharp rise in participation numbers, with registrations surging past 15,000, up from 13,000 last year.

Organizers expect the figure to hit 16,000 by race day, signaling the marathon’s rapid rise as a premier running event on the continent.

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During the official launch held in Nairobi, Competitions Director Kennedy Tanui unveiled this year’s theme, titled, “I Love Nairobi.”

Nicknamed “the only marathon run in the sky,” the race is uniquely run entirely along the elevated Nairobi Expressway, offering a rare aerial view of the capital.

The event, which debuted with fewer than 10,000 participants, has quickly solidified its place as a major attraction on the African athletics calendar.

Global Appeal and Star-Studded Elite Field

Nairobi City Marathon
A past edition of the Nairobi City Marathon.

Boasting one of the highest prize purse for a marathon in Africa, the event will award Sh3.5 million each to the men’s and women’s full marathon winners.

Interest from international participants has soared, with runners from 75 countries set to compete.

China leads the international delegation with 375 runners, followed by India with 103 runners, and notable representation from Britain, Ethiopia, Uganda, and Japan.

The elite lineup includes two-time Paris Marathon champion Paul Lonyangata, Edward Cheserek, Flomena Cheyech, Viola Chepngeno, and Sandrafelis Chebet Tuei, ensuring a fiercely competitive field.

All race categories—42km, 21km, and 10km—are fully subscribed, with only a few slots left in the 4km family fun run.

The event has received strong backing from Moja Expressway, Coca-Cola, the Sports Fund, and the Government of Kenya, further reinforcing its stature.

A Route That Highlights Nairobi’s Beauty

Nairobi City Marathon
Nairobi City Marathon.

The marathon course will begin at Uhuru Park, passing key city landmarks including the Intercontinental Hotel, Parliament Buildings, Uhuru Highway, Museum Hill, and onto the Nairobi Expressway.

The route heads west past James Gichuru, Red Hill, and Quickmart, before runners make a U-turn at Westlands Toll Station, continuing toward Jomo Kenyatta International Airport exit. After a final U-turn, athletes will finish at Processional Way, near Central Park.

To ensure athlete safety and hydration, eight water stations will be set up every 5 kilometers along the course.

According to Race Technical Director Ibrahim Hussein, the race complies fully with World Athletics standards.

Major road closures will be in effect from midnight Saturday to 3pm Sunday, and residents have been urged to support the race by lining the route and cheering on runners.

Speaking during the launch Athletics Kenya President Jackson Tuwei lauded the event as a reflection of Kenya’s unmatched pedigree in long-distance running.

“Kenya is renowned worldwide for its exceptional marathon runners. Their discipline, waking up as early as 3am and running up to 60km, is unmatched,” Tuwei stated as quoted by Nation Sports.

He further encouraged athletes to keep training hard as the country gears up for the World Championships in Tokyo this September.

With ambitions to join the ranks of the World Marathon Majors, the Nairobi City Marathon is a declaration of Kenya’s place on the global athletic stage and a celebration of Nairobi’s enduring energy and potential.