MarathonAnnual Event
Nairobi City Marathon
Sunday, 6 June 2027 · 6:45 AM (42km), 9:00 AM (21km), 10:00 AM (10km), 11:00 AM (5km) [2026 Schedule]
Results available below for the 5th Edition - 2026 - held 7 June 2026 · 1 week ago
📅The 5th edition concluded successfully on 7th June 2026. This page now shows the 2027 edition. Dates TBC
Kenya's biggest urban marathon, held along the Nairobi Expressway from City Hall to Uhuru Park. Now in its fifth edition, the Nairobi City Marathon has grown from 10,000 runners at its inaugural edition to over 17,000 registered athletes in 2026 - making it the largest and most internationally diverse marathon in Africa. Four categories cater for all levels: 42km Full Marathon, 21km Half Marathon, 10km Run, and 5km Fun Run.
6:45 AM (42km), 9:00 AM (21km), 10:00 AM (10km), 11:00 AM (5km) [2026 Schedule]
5km, 10km, 21km, 42km
880m gain · 2,549m descent · Max 1,678m · Min 1,657m
Local: KES 1,000 5km, KES 1,500 10km, KES 1,700 21km, KES 2,000 42km→International athletes: $20 5km, $40 10km, $60 21km, $90 42km→[2026 Rates]
Nairobi Marathon Association
Registration opens closer to race day
Coming up
50 weeks to go
Sunday morning
Base-building phase.
Add to calendar
Consistent easy effort is the goal. Build aerobic fitness and establish the habit. Race-specific work comes later.
Event Highlights
17,450 runners across four categories from 75 countries - the biggest edition yet
Course runs through the Nairobi CBD and along the Nairobi Expressway, starting at City Hall opposite KICC
Enock Kipkemboi wins men's 42km in 2:09:33; Joy Kemuma takes women's title in 2:27:43
KES 3.5 million prize money for the 42km winners
JayTron humanoid AI robot makes history as the first AI humanoid to run a 5km road race in Africa
Organised in partnership with the Nairobi County Government and Athletics Kenya
Race Distances
5km
10km
21km
42km
Race Fees
| Category | Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|
42km - Local Entry for Kenyan residents | KES 2,000 | Sold Out |
21km - Local Entry for Kenyan residents | KES 1,700 | Sold Out |
10km - Local Entry for Kenyan residents | KES 1,500 | Sold Out |
5km - Local Entry for Kenyan residents | KES 1,000 | Sold Out |
5km - International Entry for international participants | $20 | Sold Out |
10km - International Entry for international participants | $40 | Sold Out |
21km - International Entry for international participants | $60 | Sold Out |
42km - International Entry for international participants | $90 | Sold Out |
Prize Money
Total prize pool: KES 18,375,000
42km - MenCategory total KES 10,375,000 per gender.
1stKES 3,500,000
2ndKES 2,250,000
3rdKES 1,500,000
4thKES 800,000
5thKES 650,000
6thKES 450,000
7thKES 400,000
8thKES 325,000
9thKES 300,000
10thKES 200,000
42km - WomenCategory total KES 10,375,000 per gender.
1stKES 3,500,000
2ndKES 2,250,000
3rdKES 1,500,000
4thKES 800,000
5thKES 650,000
6thKES 450,000
7thKES 400,000
8thKES 325,000
9thKES 300,000
10thKES 200,000
21km - MenPrize positions 7-10 not published.
1stKES 150,000
2ndKES 80,000
3rdKES 50,000
4thKES 30,000
5thKES 25,000
6thKES 20,000
21km - WomenPrize positions 7-10 not published.
1stKES 150,000
2ndKES 80,000
3rdKES 50,000
4thKES 30,000
5thKES 25,000
6thKES 20,000
10km - MenPrize positions 7-10 not published.
1stKES 100,000
2ndKES 60,000
3rdKES 40,000
4thKES 30,000
5thKES 15,000
6thKES 7,500
10km - WomenPrize positions 7-10 not published.
1stKES 100,000
2ndKES 60,000
3rdKES 40,000
4thKES 30,000
5thKES 15,000
6thKES 7,500
Course Details
The 42km course starts at City Hall's main entrance opposite the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, runs through the Nairobi Central Business District and along the Nairobi Expressway, finishing at Uhuru Park. The course sits at approximately 1,670m above sea level with a total elevation gain of 880m across the full marathon distance.
Getting There
The race starts at City Hall Way opposite the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, centrally located in the Nairobi CBD. Most parts of Nairobi are within 30 to 45 minutes of the start. Public transport is available along Uhuru Highway and the surrounding roads.
Open in MapsRoad Closures
Race day road closures
Expressway
James Gichuru → JKIA (both sides)
Saturday 10:00 PM - Sunday 3:00 PMWaiyaki Way inner lanes only. 2 inner lanes both sides closed Sunday 12:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Uhuru Highway (both sides)
Lusaka Road → Museum Hill
Sunday 12:00 AM - Sunday 2:00 PM
Kenyatta Avenue
Panafric Hotel → Moi Avenue
Sunday 12:00 AM - Sunday 4:00 PM
Haile Selassie Avenue + Processional Way
Cathedral Road → Uhuru Highway
Sunday 12:00 AM - Sunday 4:00 PM
City Hall Way
Saturday 12:00 PM - Sunday 2:00 PM
Simba Street
Sunday 12:00 AM - Sunday 2:00 PM
Moi Avenue
University Way → City Hall Way
Sunday 12:00 AM - Sunday 2:00 PM
University Way
Uhuru Highway → Slip Road
Sunday 12:00 AM - Sunday 2:00 PM
Muindi Mbingu Street
Sunday 12:00 AM - Sunday 2:00 PM
Koinange Street
Sunday 12:00 AM - Sunday 2:00 PM
Did You Know?
🌍Nairobi is one of only a handful of capital cities in the world that sits above 1,700m above sea level.
🌍Uhuru Park was established in 1969 and is one of Nairobi's most central green spaces.
Results
5th Edition - 2026
Enock Kipkemboi won the men's 42km in 2:09:33 as Kenya swept the top three. Joy Kemuma claimed the women's title in 2:27:43. Brian Kogo won the men's half marathon in 1:00:55 and Zakariah Gacugu took the men's 10km in 27:47. A humanoid AI robot named JayTron made history as the first AI humanoid to run a 5km road race in Africa.
| Category | Winner | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Men's Elite (42km) | Enock Kipkemboi (KEN) | 2:09:33 |
| Men's Elite 2nd | Robert Kwambai (KEN) | 2:09:51 |
| Men's Elite 3rd | Shadrack Kenduiywo (KEN) | 2:09:55 |
| Women's Elite (42km) | Joy Kemuma (KEN) | 2:27:43 |
| Women's Elite 2nd | Jacinta Chepkoech (KEN) | 2:30:48 |
| Women's Elite 3rd | Nancy Jepleting (KEN) | 2:31:07 |
| Men's Half Marathon (21km) | Brian Kogo (KEN) | 1:00:55 |
| Men's Half Marathon 2nd | Jonah Kiprop Lagat (KEN) | 1:01:10 |
| Men's Half Marathon 3rd | Lampard Mutuku (KEN) | 1:01:32 |
| Women's Half Marathon (21km) | Doreen Cherop Kibet (KEN) | 1:09:19 |
| Women's Half Marathon 2nd | Sylvia Changeiwo (KEN) | 1:10:04 |
| Women's Half Marathon 3rd | Sharon Cherotich (KEN) | 1:10:30 |
| Men's 10km | Zakariah Gacugu (KEN) | 27:47 |
| Men's 10km 2nd | Shadrack Kipyegon (KEN) | 27:48 |
| Men's 10km 3rd | Enock Cheruiyot (KEN) | 28:03 |
| Women's 10km | Phane Jairus (KEN) | 31:27 |
| Women's 10km 2nd | Enit Moses (KEN) | 31:38 |
| Women's 10km 3rd | Sharon Chepchirchir (KEN) | 31:56 |
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Registration opens closer to race day
Coming up
50 weeks to go
Sunday morning
Base-building phase.
Add to calendar
Consistent easy effort is the goal. Build aerobic fitness and establish the habit. Race-specific work comes later.
6:45 AM (42km), 9:00 AM (21km), 10:00 AM (10km), 11:00 AM (5km) [2026 Schedule]
5km, 10km, 21km, 42km
880m gain · 2,549m descent · Max 1,678m · Min 1,657m
Local: KES 1,000 5km, KES 1,500 10km, KES 1,700 21km, KES 2,000 42km→International athletes: $20 5km, $40 10km, $60 21km, $90 42km→[2026 Rates]
Nairobi Marathon Association