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NAIROBI, Kenya
The fourth edition of the Nairobi City Marathon, held on July 6, has cemented its place as a premier event on the international athletics calendar, drawing a record-breaking 16,000 participants from 75 countries, making it the largest edition since the event's inception in 2022.
The race, branded with the theme I Love Nairobi – Run the City You Love, lived up to every word of that promise, delivering elite-level competition, strong local support, and an impressive show of sustainability efforts.
Race Director Kennedy Tanui had predicted the record turnout, and it delivered:
Tanui remarked, “This marathon has grown in leaps and bounds… It offers scenic views and unique experiences for all participants. We are excited to see it evolve into a global attraction.”
Athletics Kenya president Lt Gen (Rtd) Jackson Tuwei echoed this ambition, expressing hope that the Nairobi City Marathon will soon join the ranks of the World Marathon Majors.
“We want to aim higher,” he said. “Nairobi is becoming more attractive to runners across the world, and this event shows it.”
In the men's marathon, Benson Tunyo Murkomen claimed victory in 2:08:36, edging out Justus Limo by just six seconds in a thrilling finish. Albert Kangogo rounded out the podium in 2:09:06.
The women's marathon saw Emily Chepkemoi dominate with a winning time of 2:25:45, nearly a minute ahead of second-place Vivian Jerotich (2:26:31).
Evans Kipchumba Kiyeng took the men's half marathon in 1:01:20, while Nelvin Jepkemboi won the women's race in 1:09:25—both delivering performances that would be competitive at major international events.
These times put several runners in line for future international competitions, with Tunyo and Chepkemoi drawing particular attention for their strong finishes.
The 2025 edition wasn’t just about speed and medals; It emphasized sustainability and innovation. Organizers collaborated with institutions like the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) and Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF). In support of this green initiative, Roam provided electric buses and motorcycles as lead vehicles and the infrastructure for real-time air quality monitoring.
Athletics Kenya (AK) President Lt Gen (Rtd) Jack Tuwei, speaking before the race, expressed his vision for the event's future. "Nairobi is becoming more and more attractive to runners from across the world," he stated. "We want to aim higher to the level of World Marathon Majors."
Considering its record-breaking participation, the Nairobi City Marathon has proven it is well on its way to achieving that goal.
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