Nahason Kipsang and Orba Chemurgor are the men’s and women’s half-marathon champions at the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon, where 10,500 runners participated in the 21km race amid a turnout of 30,700 participants from 102 nationalities.
Kipsang finished ahead of Wycliffe Kirwa and Kevin Kemoi in the men’s race, while Chemurgor led Esther Porura and Mercy Kimaiyo in the women’s category. The top three finishers in each race received cash prizes of Ksh 300,000, Ksh 150,000 and Ksh 100,000 respectively.
The Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon attracted 200 elite athletes, placing it among Africa’s major mass-participation sporting events.
Kenya Wine Agencies Limited (KWAL), through its non-alcoholic brand Heineken 0.0, supported the race for the third consecutive year, contributing Ksh 10 million this year and bringing its total sponsorship since 2024 to Ksh 20 million.
KWAL Commercial Director Alice Mwalimo says the growth of the half-marathon reflected the rising popularity of running in Kenya and the event’s wider role in promoting fitness and community wellbeing.
Beyond competition, the marathon supports community initiatives, including youth economic inclusion through Futuremakers, a Standard Chartered programme that helps disadvantaged young people develop skills, find employment and start businesses.
Mwalimo says KWAL’s partnership was also aimed at promoting inclusive social experiences and recognising people who choose to socialise without alcohol.
The Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon, launched in 2003, has grown into a major annual event combining competitive running with community and economic initiatives.