How much does it cost to enter?

All categories, the 42km Full Marathon, 21.1km Half Marathon, 10km Race, 5km Family Fun Run, and 21km Wheelchair Race, are priced at a flat KES 2,500 per participant.

Does the altitude affect performance?

Yes. At 1,795m, most runners will find their pace is 5 to 15% slower than at sea level, especially early in the race. Local runners are acclimatised but visitors should factor this in when setting goals.

What time do I need to arrive on race day?

Arrival times are staggered by category: Wheelchair and 42km runners arrive at 5:00 AM, 21km Half Marathon runners at 6:30 AM, 10km runners at 8:00 AM, and 5km Family Fun Run participants at 9:00 AM. Assembly happens shortly after arrival, with gun starts following at the scheduled times.

Where do the race start and finish?

All categories start and assemble outside Carnivore on Southern Bypass Road. The finish line is at Uhuru Gardens for the 10km, 21km, 42km, and Wheelchair categories.

Are there road closures on race day?

Yes, extensive closures affect the Southern Bypass, Langata Road, Mombasa Road, Waiyaki Way, and surrounding interchanges from Saturday 24th October 11:00 PM through Sunday 25th October 1:30 PM. Check the official road closure map for diversion routes if driving in the area.

Are there cut-off times?

Cut-off times apply for the full marathon. Check the official race website for the latest cut-off details as these are confirmed closer to race day.

MarathonAnnual Event

Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon

Sunday, 25 October 2026 · 5:45 AM (Wheelchair) | 6:00 AM (42km) | 7:20 AM (21km) | 8:45 AM (10km) | 10:00 AM (5km)

Kenya's premier road race since 2003. Celebrating 23 years of community, competition, and the spirit of running through the heart of Africa's most vibrant city.

Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon poster

Start/Assembly: Outside Carnivore, Southern Bypass Road | Finish: Uhuru Gardens, Nairobi

5:45 AM (Wheelchair)→6:00 AM (42km)→7:20 AM (21km)→8:45 AM (10km)→10:00 AM (5km)

5km, 10km, 21km, 21km (Wheelchair), 42km

KES 2,500 (Standard)→KES 20,000 (CEO Challenge, all categories)

Standard Chartered

020 3293780→registration@nairobimarathon.com

www.nairobimarathon.com

@stanchartkenya_Facebook @StanChartKE

Registration Closed

Registration for the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon 2026 is officially sold out. For queries on transfers, corporate entries, or the CEO Challenge, contact 020 3293780 or registration@nairobimarathon.com. Tickets occasionally become available through third-party giveaways and partner promotions - check the marathon's official social channels for updates.

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Event Highlights

Kenya's premier road race since 2003, celebrating 23 years of community and competition in 2026

Five categories including a Wheelchair Half Marathon, starting earliest at 5:45 AM

All categories priced at a flat KES 2,500 per participant

Start and assembly at Carnivore, Southern Bypass Road, finishing at Uhuru Gardens for 10km, 21km, 42km, and the Wheelchair race

Major road closures across Southern Bypass, Langata Road, Mombasa Road, and Waiyaki Way from Saturday night through Sunday afternoon

A premium CEO Challenge tier (KES 20,000) is available across all five categories

Race Distances

5km

10km

21km

21km (Wheelchair)

42km

Race Fees

Category	Fee	Status
Full Marathon - 42.2km Gun start 6:00 AM. Finish at Uhuru Gardens.	KES 2,500	Sold Out
Half Marathon - 21.1km Gun start 7:20 AM. Finish at Uhuru Gardens.	KES 2,500	Sold Out
10km Race Gun start 8:45 AM. Finish at Uhuru Gardens.	KES 2,500	Sold Out
Family Fun Run - 5km Rolling start 10:00 AM.	KES 2,500	Sold Out
Wheelchair Race - 21km Gun start 5:45 AM. Finish at Uhuru Gardens.	KES 2,500	Sold Out
CEO Challenge - 42km Premium entry tier for the Full Marathon. Gun start 6:00 AM. Finish at Uhuru Gardens.	KES 20,000	Sold Out
CEO Challenge - 21km Premium entry tier for the Half Marathon. Gun start 7:20 AM. Finish at Uhuru Gardens.	KES 20,000	Sold Out
CEO Challenge - 10km Premium entry tier for the 10km Race. Gun start 8:45 AM. Finish at Uhuru Gardens.	KES 20,000	Sold Out
CEO Challenge - 5km Premium entry tier for the Family Fun Run. Rolling start 10:00 AM.	KES 20,000	Sold Out
CEO Challenge - Wheelchair Race - 21km Premium entry tier for the Wheelchair Race. Gun start 5:45 AM. Finish at Uhuru Gardens.	KES 20,000	Sold Out

Event Schedule

5:00 AM21km Wheelchair - Arrival

5:25 AM21km Wheelchair - Assembly

5:45 AM21km Wheelchair - Start

5:00 AM42km Full Marathon - Arrival

5:50 AM42km Full Marathon - Assembly

6:00 AM42km Full Marathon - Start

6:30 AM21km Half Marathon - Arrival

7:00 AM21km Half Marathon - Assembly

7:20 AM21km Half Marathon - Start

8:00 AM10km Road Race - Arrival

8:40 AM10km Road Race - Assembly

8:45 AM10km Road Race - Start

9:00 AM5km Family Fun Run - Arrival

9:40 AM5km Family Fun Run - Assembly

10:00 AM5km Family Fun Run - Rolling Start

Course Details

All categories start and assemble outside Carnivore on Southern Bypass Road, finishing at Uhuru Gardens (10km, 21km, 42km, and Wheelchair). The city sits at approximately 1,795m above sea level, with the course profile showing rolling terrain throughout, notably a climb between roughly 20km and 30km on the 42km route. Expect the altitude to affect pace, particularly for runners arriving from lower elevations.

42km Route (Road Closures)

21km Route

10km Route

5km Route

Elevation Profile

Getting There

Assembly and start for all categories is outside Carnivore on Southern Bypass Road, easily reached from most parts of Nairobi via Langata Road. The finish line is at Uhuru Gardens for the 10km, 21km, 42km, and Wheelchair race. Parking is limited on race day given extensive road closures from Saturday night; public transport or dropping off nearby is recommended.

Open in Maps

Road Closures

Race day road closures

Southern Bypass (Dagoretti Road Interchange to Ngong Road Interchange)

Sat 24th Oct 11:00 PM - Sun 25th Oct 1:30 PMKikuyu-bound traffic uses Dagoretti via Southern Bypass; Karen-bound traffic uses Kikuyu via Southern Bypass.

Southern Bypass / Langata Road Interchange

Sat 24th Oct 11:00 PM - Sun 25th Oct 1:30 PMKaren Shopping Centre traffic diverts via Dagoretti Road (from Kikuyu) or Langata Road (from Mombasa Road).

Mombasa Road Interchange

Sat 24th Oct 11:00 PM - Sun 25th Oct 1:30 PMLangata Road (Galleria Mall) traffic uses Dagoretti Road via Langata Road, or Uhuru Highway via Langata Road. ICD traffic uses Waiyaki Way through Mombasa Road/Uhuru Highway.

ICD turning point and Traffic Diversion

Sat 24th Oct 11:00 PM - Sun 25th Oct 1:30 PMMombasa Road traffic uses Emara Ole Sereni through Nextgen Mall. Likoni Road traffic uses Enterprise Road.

Southern Bypass from Waiyaki Way

Sat 24th Oct 11:00 PM - Sun 25th Oct 1:30 PMClosed to trailers and lorries. Kikuyu, Dagoretti, Lenana (Ngong Road), and Waiyaki Way traffic all diverted via Waiyaki Way or Southern Bypass alternatives.