This Sunday, as dawn breaks over Nairobi and golden rays kiss the city’s skyline, over 15,000 runners — elite athletes, weekend warriors, fun runners, and first-timers, will fill the streets in the third edition of the Nairobi City Marathon.
But beyond the finish lines and medals lies a deeper narrative—one of national pride, rediscovery, and cultural celebration.
“What started as an ambitious city marathon is now a national movement. From elite runners to fun runners, the Nairobi City Marathon has become a race that unites us all,” said Barnaba Korir, the Nairobi City Marathon Race Director.
In just three years, the marathon has evolved from a pilot project into one of East Africa’s most anticipated mass participation races.
Runners from all 47 counties and more than 78 countries are expected to line up at the starting point on Railway Road, winding their way through Nairobi’s revamped corridors and elevated expressway.
“People are not just running for medals, they’re running for pride, for health, for fun, and to be part of something historic. That’s why we had to cap it at 15,000 participants. Nairobi has spoken,” said Korir.
This year’s edition brings new symbolism. With renovations ongoing at the originally planned finish area, the final stretch now ends at Uhuru Park—a newly rejuvenated space that carries decades of civic memory.
“Uhuru Park is where the soul of Nairobi gathers. It’s the people’s park, and now it will be the people’s marathon ground,” said Korir.
As the event grows in size and stature, race organisers have had to think beyond enthusiasm.
Logistics and safety remain top priorities, prompting clear caps per category: 1,200 for the full marathon, 4,300 for the half marathon, 6,000 for the 10km, and 700 for the 4km fun run.
“We didn’t want to congest the city or stretch our resources beyond limit. That’s why we placed a cap. We want quality over chaos,” said Korir.
But Nairobi’s challenge is not just managing crowds, it’s managing time. Specifically, how late Kenyans tend to register. Korir called for a culture shift toward early planning.
“One thing we must change is this lastminute culture. In world marathons like Rotterdam, registration opens and closes months ahead. We have to wake up and plan early—it’s part of growing into a world-class marathon city,” said Korir.
While the race welcomes world-class elites, it’s also a cradle for Kenya’s next generation of stars.
The streets of Nairobi have, in recent years, revealed the names of people who were previously unknown.
“This marathon has a way of producing surprise champions. Yes, we have elites, but the streets of Nairobi have also revealed future stars. It’s where the unknown becomes the unforgettable,” said Korir.
Yet the race is about more than performance. It’s about connection—to the city, to each other, and history.
Spectators and fun runners alike will have the chance to take selfies on the expressway, soak in panoramic views, and reimagine Nairobi as more than a congested capital.
The marathon is also rekindling conversations around national pride and the place of athletics in shaping Kenya’s identity.
As one official put it: “We need to stop taking our greatness for granted. When Eliud Kipchoge says, ‘No human is limited,’ we must teach that in our homes and schools—not just in sports but in every dream.”
Korir agrees.
“This is more than a marathon. It’s Nairobi telling its story on foot. It’s our way of saying we can host the best, welcome the world, and do it our way—with heart, grit, and style,” said Korir.
On Sunday, Nairobi won’t just be running, it will be breathing, beaming, and beating in rhythm with a country learning to celebrate itself. And with every stride, a new chapter will be written in the story of a city on the rise.
ALL PHOTOS: NAIROBI CITY MARATHON
Robert Kibet is a freelance journalist based in Nairobi, Kenya. He previously worked as a correspondent for Milele FM. His feature stories on development, the climate crisis, the environment, conflict, human rights, food security, and education have been published in The Guardian UK, Reuters, IPS, DW, The New Humanitarian, and Equal Times.
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