Standard Chartered Drives Nairobi Marathon as Kiptum, Rotich Pocket Sh2 Million Each

By Bruno Aero | Taifa News Sports Writer

NAIROBI, October 25, 2026

   Standard Chartered Bank has reinforced its commitment to sports development and community empowerment through the 23rd Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon, which attracted 30,700 runners and raised Sh76 million for community programmes.

The bank, the marathon’s principal organiser and title sponsor, backed this year’s edition with record sponsorship of Sh273 million, bringing together elite athletes, recreational runners and participants from more than 100 nationalities for one of Kenya’s major road-running events.

On the track, Abraham Kiptum and Mercy Rotich emerged as the biggest winners, claiming the men’s and women’s 42km titles and Sh2 million each.

Kiptum led the men’s race ahead of Amos Kipkemoi, who finished second, and Mark Kibiwott, who settled for third place during Sunday’s competition along Nairobi’s Southern Bypass.

Rotich won the women’s full marathon as more than 400 elite athletes joined thousands of recreational runners in the race, which also offered views of Nairobi National Park.

In the other categories, Nahason Kipsang and Orba Chemurgor won the men’s and women’s 21km half-marathon titles, respectively, while Alfred Kimani and Joy Cheptoyek triumphed in the men’s and women’s 10km races. Samuel Kuria and Mercyline Ajenjo claimed the men’s and women’s 21km wheelchair titles.

The marathon offered a total prize purse of Sh11.24 million. The half-marathon and wheelchair champions each received Sh300,000, while the 10km winners earned Sh200,000 apiece. Winning corporate relay and persons with disabilities teams were allocated Sh100,000 each.

### Bank links sport to community impact

Beyond the sporting competition, Standard Chartered placed community development at the centre of the event, with the Sh76 million raised through registration fees set to support programmes backed by the Standard Chartered Foundation.

The foundation focuses on helping young people learn, earn and grow through education, employability and entrepreneurship. Its initiatives seek to expand economic opportunities, particularly for young people, women and persons with disabilities.

The latest fundraising brings the total amount raised by the marathon since its inception to Sh596 million, highlighting the event’s contribution to community-focused programmes over the years.

Standard Chartered Kenya Chief Executive Officer and Head of Coverage Birju Sanghrajka said the marathon had grown beyond a sporting contest into a platform that connects people while supporting opportunities for young people.

“This marathon brings the world to Nairobi and turns a shared passion for running into opportunities that last beyond race day,” Sanghrajka said.

He noted that runners, sponsors, partners and volunteers were collectively contributing to programmes that help young people develop skills, find employment and grow businesses.

The 2026 edition’s record Sh273 million sponsorship provided backing for an event that combined elite competition with mass participation, reflecting the bank’s continued investment in the marathon.

 Focus on runners and fair competition

Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon Local Organising Committee Chairman David Mwindi said organisers prioritised the quality of the runners’ experience, with measures designed to support participants from the start line to recovery after the race.

The support included 19 hydration stations, roaming bicycle medics, dedicated muscle-relief stations, improved post-race recovery services and downloadable digital finisher certificates.

The event also upheld competition standards associated with its World Athletics Road Race Label. Selected top finishers underwent anti-doping tests in collaboration with the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya, in line with race regulations.

Environmental conservation was another focus, with every finisher receiving a tree seedling as part of a partnership with Nairobi City County targeting the planting of 40,000 trees. Organisers also introduced waste segregation, recycling and measures to reduce single-use plastics.

 Women lead participation

Women accounted for 15,796 registrations, representing 51.5 per cent of the total, compared with 14,904 men.

Millennials formed the largest age group, with 15,544 registrations, followed by Generation Z at 10,175. Overall, 86 per cent of registered participants were aged 45 and below.

Demand for places remained strong, with registration closing in July after more than 30,700 entries filled the available slots.

Through the annual marathon, Standard Chartered continues to bring together sport, corporate partnerships and community fundraising, extending the event’s significance beyond the race results.

Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon men’s 42km podium finishers display their trophies and dummy prize cheques during the awards ceremony in Nairobi on Sunday. From left are third-placed Mark Kibiwott, champion Abraham Kiptum and second-placed Amos Kipkemoi. Presenting the awards are World Athletics Vice President and Athletics Kenya President Jackson Tuwei (Rtd), Standard Chartered CEO and Head of Coverage Birju Sanghrajka, and marathon Local Organising Committee Chairman David Mwindi.