NAIROBI: Kenya’s Bernard Chepkwony and Hellen Chepkorir emerged champions in the men’s and women’s 42km races during the 22nd Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon, held on Sunday in the capital.
Chepkwony clocked 2:11:01 to win the men’s race, while Chepkorir crossed the finish line in 2:27:17, leading a strong field of elite runners.
In the 21km category, Joshua Kithuku won the men’s race in 1:02:35, while Friday Rerimoi claimed the women’s title in 1:14:23.
Shadrack Musyoka and Nelvin Jepkemboi were crowned winners in the 10km races, finishing in 29:01 and 33:04 respectively.
In the wheelchair races, John Wambua and Mary Tatu Jared triumphed in the 21km men’s and women’s categories, clocking 1:29:25 and 1:49:47.
The 2025 marathon raised a record sh.76 million for community programmes, the largest amount ever raised from a single one-day charity event in Kenya.
To date, the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon has contributed over sh.0.925 billion to charitable causes since its inception in 2003.
The event also injected sh.229 million into the Kenyan economy, underlining its growing socio-economic impact.
This year’s marathon attracted 30,602 runners from 92 countries, including more than 200 elite athletes.
Participation by persons with disabilities (PWDs) rose from 146 in 2024 to 184, while the 10km race registered the highest turnout with 12,855 runners, up from 10,276 last year.
The top participating nationalities were Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, China, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
Standard Chartered partnered with the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) to ensure race integrity through doping tests for top finishers across all categories.
Speaking at the event’s conclusion, Kariuki Ngari, Managing Director and CEO for Kenya and Africa at Standard Chartered Bank, hailed the record-breaking participation and impact.
“With the backing of over 40 sponsors and partners, we successfully delivered an exceptional experience for all participants. This year, our focus was on hosting an inclusive and sustainable event,” said Ngari.
“For the past 22 years, the true impact of the marathon has been in transforming lives through proceeds that now total sh.0.925 billion,” he added.
Ngari added that this year’s marathon also injected sh.229 million into the national economy and highlighted new facilities such as mothers’ rooms and nursing stations along the route for parents.
All proceeds from the marathon support Standard Chartered’s Futuremakers initiative, which empowers young people, especially women and persons with disabilities, through education, employability, and entrepreneurship programmes.
The initiative aims to help the next generation learn, earn, and grow while promoting inclusion and sustainable livelihoods.