The fourth edition of the annual Nairobi City Marathon, set for Sunday, July 6, has attracted over 15,000 participants representing 75 different nationalities.
This year’s edition has drawn participants from 75 countries. China leads the foreign pack with 375 runners, followed by India with 103. There are also significant entries from Britain, Ethiopia (41), Uganda (46), and Japan (40).
All races – the 42km, 21km, 10km, and the 4km fun run- will begin at Uhuru Park and take place largely along the Nairobi Expressway.
The race has a total prize of Ksh24 million, with Ksh11.4 million up for grabs for the top 22 finishers in the marathon.
Prize Money
The top 20 finishers in the 42km marathon for both men and women will receive cash prizes.
According to the organizers, the winner will be awarded Ksh 3.5 million, while the second-place finisher will take home Ksh 2.25 million. The third-place athlete will receive Ksh 1.5 million.
Runners finishing fourth and fifth will be awarded Ksh 800,000 and Ksh 650,000, respectively. The sixth-place finisher will earn Ksh 450,000, while the seventh and eighth positions will receive Ksh 400,000 and Ksh 325,000, respectively.
The athlete in ninth place will pocket Ksh 300,000, and the tenth-place finisher will get Ksh 200,000.
Those finishing from 11th to 20th position will also be rewarded, with Ksh 175,000 for 11th place, Ksh 150,000 for 12th, Ksh 140,000 for 13th, Ksh 130,000 for 14th, and Ksh 120,000 for 15th.
The 16th to 20th positions will receive Ksh 100,000, Ksh 80,000, Ksh 60,000, Ksh 50,000, and Ksh 30,000, respectively.
Meanwhile, the half marathon has been allocated a total prize purse of Ksh 355,000. The winners will bag Ksh 150,000, with the second- and third-placed athletes set to earn Ksh 80,000 and Ksh 50,000, respectively.
Also Read: Nairobi Expressway, Mombasa Road and 3 Other Roads to Be Closed
Nairobi City Marathon Program
The 42km Marathon will officially start at 6:45 AM. Later, at 8:15 AM, the 21km Half Marathon will begin.
At 10:00 am, the 10km Expressway Run will kick off, followed by the 4km Fun Run at 11:00 am.
The award ceremonies for the 10km and 21km races are set to take place at 11:10 am.
From 11:30 AM, there will be live entertainment performances, and the last group of runners is expected to arrive around this time. The Half Marathon is expected to conclude by 11:40 am, while the 4km Fun Run is set to finish by 11:52 am.
The 10km Expressway Run is expected to end at noon. Finally, the Marathon (42km) is anticipated to finish by 12:22 pm, with the event officially closing at 12:30 pm.
Also Read: Kenyan Athletes Conquer Hilly 2025 Kigali Peace Marathon
Road Closure During Marathon
Motorists have been urged to plan their routes carefully and anticipate major traffic disruptions.
The Nairobi Expressway will be fully closed in both directions—from James Gichuru to JKIA—starting at 10 p.m. on Saturday, July 5, and will reopen at 3 p.m. on Sunday, July 6.
On Waiyaki Way, the inner lanes will be closed from Musa Gitau Road to the expressway entrance between midnight and 10 a.m. on Sunday.
Both Mombasa Road and the Southern Bypass (at the Likoni Road crossing) will also be disrupted from midnight to 11 a.m. on Sunday, affecting several roundabouts and key access points into the city.
Uhuru Highway will be closed from midnight to 2 p.m. on Sunday, with the closure impacting sections between the Southern Bypass and Lang’ata Roundabout, as well as between Bunyala Roundabout and Kenyatta Avenue.
In addition, Kenyatta Avenue will be closed from the Panafric Hotel to Uhuru Highway between midnight and 4 p.m. on Sunday.
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