Road Closures Announced Ahead of Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon on Sunday

Nairobi is set to host the 22nd edition of the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon this Sunday, October 26, with organisers announcing an extensive list of road closures and diversions to ensure the smooth running of the event.

The closures will begin at midnight and remain in effect until 1:30 p.m., allowing for the safe movement of the over 30,000 participants expected to take part in Kenya’s largest annual road race.

This year’s event will start at Uhuru Gardens along Lang’ata Road before runners make their way through the Southern Bypass, a scenic stretch overlooking the Nairobi National Park.

The 5km Family Fun Run will end along the bypass, while all other categories will conclude back at Uhuru Gardens.

To minimise disruption, the Nairobi Traffic Department has put in place a comprehensive plan that includes several alternative routes for motorists.

Drivers coming from Kikuyu will access Dagoretti through the Southern Bypass, while those from Karen will use the bypass to reach Kikuyu via Dagoretti Road.

Motorists travelling from Karen Shopping Centre to Kikuyu are advised to use Dagoretti Road, while those heading towards Mombasa Road should use Lang’ata Road.

Motorists from Galleria Mall heading to Kikuyu will also use Dagoretti Road via Lang’ata Road, while those bound for Mombasa Road will access it through Uhuru Highway.

Traffic from the Inland Container Depot (ICD) heading to Kikuyu through the bypass will be redirected to Waiyaki Way via Mombasa Road or Uhuru Highway.

Vehicles from Mombasa Road will reach Emara Ole Sereni through Nextgen Mall, while those using the bypass from Likoni Road to Mombasa Road will use Enterprise Road instead.

The extended closure period up to 1:30 p.m. will affect motorists travelling from Kikuyu to Mombasa Road, who are advised to use Waiyaki Way, Ngong Road, or Mbagathi Way. Heavy trucks and trailers will also be required to use Waiyaki Way to access Mombasa Road.

Nairobi Traffic Commandant Joseph Chirchir assured the public that adequate preparations had been made to ensure a smooth flow of traffic and safety for both runners and road users.

“We have worked closely with the marathon organisers to ensure minimal inconvenience for motorists and residents,” he said.

“The alternative routes have been carefully selected to maintain steady movement while enabling thousands of runners to enjoy a safe and memorable race experience.”

The Chairperson of the Local Organising Committee, David Mwindi, noted that this year’s event had been meticulously planned to deliver an improved experience for runners and spectators alike.

“From expanded finish areas and improved hydration points to better flow management and staffing, every improvement is designed to make the event smoother, safer, and more enjoyable,” he said.

The 2025 edition of the marathon will introduce several new features aimed at easing congestion and improving safety.

For the first time, elite runners in the 42km race will have an exclusive finish-line channel, while the 21km and 10km races will conclude at different points within Uhuru Gardens.

The runner walk-off zone has also been expanded by 30 per cent to allow better movement, while medal and hydration stations have been strengthened with additional personnel.

A new photo-finish zone will allow participants to capture post-race moments without obstructing other runners.

This year’s event will feature seven race categories, the full marathon, half marathon, 10km race, 21km wheelchair race, 5km Family Fun Run, CEO Challenge, and Corporate Challenge, reflecting the event’s inclusive nature.

Start times will range from 5:45 a.m. for the wheelchair race to 10:00 a.m. for the Family Fun Run, with the main marathon flagging off at 6:00 a.m.

Winners of the full marathon will receive KES 2 million, while second and third-place finishers will earn KES 1 million and KES 500,000, respectively. Other race categories will also offer cash prizes, with the Corporate Challenge winner taking home KES 100,000.