Peter Mwangi and Fridah Ndida stole the spotlight at Parklands Sports Club on Sunday after winning the 21km warm-up race for the 22nd Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon.
The event drew more than 1,500 participants eager to test their fitness ahead of the main marathon.
Mwangi clocked 65 minutes to clinch victory in the men’s race, while Ndida dominated the women’s category with a time of 77 minutes.
Speaking after the race, Mwangi said the win was an important confidence boost:
“Winning today has given me confidence as I prepare for the main race in October. The course was competitive, and I am happy with my performance. I believe this momentum will carry me into the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon, where I hope to achieve an even better result.”
The warm-up was part of a build-up to the October 26 main marathon at Uhuru Gardens, which is expected to attract over 30,000 runners. Already, more than 18,000 participants have registered, with the October 10 deadline fast approaching. Over 60 elite athletes have confirmed participation, including Lazarus Too (2025 Orange Phikwe National Marathon champion), Donald Sambu (2021 MTN Kampala Marathon winner), Ugandan Stephen Mugabe (TCS New York Marathon competitor), and Kenya’s Cecilia Alonyo.
David Mwindi, Chairperson of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), said the turnout reflected the growing appeal of the annual event:
“The strong turnout today from both runners and sponsors demonstrates the growing energy around this year’s marathon. It is encouraging to see how individuals and corporates are rallying behind the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon, not just as a sporting event, but as a platform that empowers communities through initiatives like Futuremakers.”
This year, organisers are targeting to raise sh.70 million for Futuremakers by Standard Chartered, the bank’s global programme supporting young people, especially women and persons with disabilities, through education, employability, and entrepreneurship. In 2024, the marathon raised sh.48 million.
The Parklands event will be followed by more activities, including a warm-up run at Karura Forest, a medical camp in Kibera, and a satellite run in Mombasa, all designed to build momentum for race day.
To enhance the race-day experience, organisers have unveiled new measures. For the first time, the 42km marathon will feature an exclusive elite finish channel, while the 21km and 10km races will end at separate points within Uhuru Gardens to ease congestion. The runner walk-off zone has been expanded by 30%, with additional medal, hydration, and support teams on standby. A new photo-finish zone will also give participants the chance to capture professional-quality moments without obstructing movement.
