On Sunday, over 1,000 runners gathered at Karura Forest for the Friends of Karura Anniversary Race, a key warm-up event leading up to the 23rd edition of the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon, scheduled for October 25 at Uhuru Gardens. The event featured various race categories, including 21km, 10km, 5km, and 2km races, attracting runners, families, and the wider community for a day of sports, fitness, and environmental conservation.
The Friends of Karura Anniversary Race is part of a series of warm-up events supported by Standard Chartered to help runners prepare for the Nairobi Marathon. The main event is expected to draw more than 30,000 participants from 102 nationalities, including over 400 elite athletes. Joyce Kibe, Head of Corporate Affairs, Brand and Marketing at Standard Chartered Bank Kenya and Africa, expressed satisfaction with the strong participation at Karura.
The event also included a family-friendly celebration and a Berlin Marathon watch party at Amani Gardens. According to Joyce Kibe, the warm-up races are crucial for runners to test their preparation, build confidence, and connect with fellow participants ahead of the main race. The event reflects the wider role of the marathon in bringing communities together through sports and causes that matter.
The 2026 marathon will feature athletes from various countries, including Uganda, Ghana, Tanzania, Brazil, and Ethiopia, showcasing the international participation in the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon. Peter Njui, Operations Manager of Friends of Karura Anniversary Race, highlighted the value of the partnership with Standard Chartered and its support for the running community.
The Friends of Karura Anniversary Race also aims to celebrate Karura Forest and the work done with the Kenya Forest Service to protect and preserve this green space. Peter Njui emphasized the importance of the event in bringing people together around causes that matter to their communities. The partnership with Standard Chartered is crucial for the success of the event.
The Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon has grown into a platform that combines sports, community participation, and social impact. Since its inception, it has attracted over 345,000 participants and raised approximately KSh520 million for programs supported through the Standard Chartered Foundation. These programs focus on employability, entrepreneurship, and skills development for young people, women, and people with disabilities.
The 23rd edition of the marathon has secured a record combined sponsorship of KSh273 million, with Standard Chartered committing KSh130 million and other sponsors contributing a further KSh143 million in cash and in-kind support. The event is expected to take place on October 25 at Uhuru Gardens, with over 30,000 runners from 102 nationalities participating alongside more than 400 elite athletes.
Key points
- The Friends of Karura Anniversary Race is a warm-up event for the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon, which is expected to attract over 30,000 participants from 102 nationalities.
- The event featured various race categories, including 21km, 10km, 5km, and 2km races, and included a family-friendly celebration and a Berlin Marathon watch party.
- The Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon has raised approximately KSh520 million for programs supported through the Standard Chartered Foundation since its inception.
