Karura Comes Alive as over 1,000 Runners Build Momentum for Nairobi Marathon

27 September 2026 

Taifa news

 

Judith mwai 

Karura Forest came alive on Sunday as more than 1,000 runners took part in the Friends of Karura Anniversary Race, building momentum towards the 23rd edition of the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon set for October 25 at Uhuru Gardens.

The event featured 21km, 10km, 5km and 2km races, bringing together professional and recreational runners, families and fitness enthusiasts in a celebration that linked sport, healthy living and environmental conservation.

The warm-up race was part of a series of events designed to prepare participants for the main marathon, while giving runners an opportunity to test their fitness, build confidence and experience the competitive atmosphere ahead of race day.

Joyce Kibe, Head of Corporate Affairs, Brand and Marketing, Standard Chartered Bank Kenya and Africa, said the warm-up races were an important part of the marathon journey.

> “The warm-up races are an important part of the journey towards the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon, giving runners an opportunity to test their preparation, build confidence and connect with fellow participants ahead of the main race,” Kibe said.

She said the strong turnout at Karura demonstrated the ability of running to bring families and communities together while supporting environmental conservation.

The event also featured a family-friendly celebration and a Berlin Marathon watch party at Amani Gardens, extending the day's activities beyond the races.

Peter Njui, Operations Manager of the Friends of Karura Anniversary Race, said the organisers valued their partnership with Standard Chartered and the wider running community.

> “The warm-up races give runners an opportunity to prepare for the marathon while bringing people together around causes that matter to our communities,” Njui said.

He said the race also provided an opportunity to celebrate Karura Forest and highlight continued efforts with the Kenya Forest Service to protect and preserve the city's important green space.

Marathon building into a major national event

The October 25 marathon is expected to attract more than 30,000 participants from 102 nationalities, including more than 400 elite athletes, underlining the event's growing international profile.

Runners from countries including Uganda, Ghana, Tanzania, Brazil and Ethiopia are expected to take part, adding an international dimension to one of Kenya's major road-running events.

Since its inception, the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon has attracted more than 345,000 participants and raised approximately KSh520 million for programmes supported through the Standard Chartered Foundation.

The programmes focus on employability, entrepreneurship and skills development for young people, women and people with disabilities.

The 2026 edition has also secured a record combined sponsorship of KSh273 million, with Standard Chartered committing KSh130 million while other sponsors have provided a further KSh143 million in cash and in-kind support.

With the main race less than a month away, the Karura event offered a glimpse of the growing excitement around the marathon, which has increasingly positioned running not only as a sporting activity but also as a platform for community engagement, healthy living, environmental conservation and social impact.

The Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon will be held on October 25, 2026, at Uhuru Gardens, with more than 30,000 runners expected to line up alongside elite athletes from Kenya and around the world.