Bernard Chepkwony and Hellen Chepkorir emerged victorious at the 22nd Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon on Sunday, outpacing a record field of 32,000 runners, including over 200 elite athletes, in a display of endurance, strategy and determination.
The event transformed Nairobi’s streets into a showcase of athletic excellence and community spirit under the theme “Run for a Reason.”
In the men’s full marathon, Chepkwony clinched the 42km title in 2:10:56, his eighth-fastest time ever on the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon course and walked away with Sh2 million.
Alex Chepkok finished second, while Ezekiel Omullo Kemboi secured third place.
“I’ve been training hard and I’m happy to have come here and won. I ensured that when I show up, I take nothing short of victory,” Chepkwony said after crossing the finish line.
Chepkok clocked 2:11:26, and Kemboi finished in 2:11:40, admitting that the race was particularly challenging due to the weather along Ngong Road.
“The race wasn’t easy, but I’m proud to finish in the top three. I’ll train harder for next year’s races,” he said.
Debutant Hellen Chepkorir impressed in the women’s marathon, completing the 42km in 2:27:17 to claim her first marathon victory and the Sh2 million prize. Naomy Chepkorir finished second in 2:27:37, while Scholastica Jepkemboi took third in 2:29:18.
“It was my first time running the marathon, and I’m so happy to win. I prepared well, stayed focused, and followed the pacers. That was my strategy,” Hellen Chepkorir said.
In the men’s 21km race, Joshua Githuku emerged the winner in 1:02:35, followed by Nahashon Kipsang (1:03:31) and Gilbert Koririn (1:03:34).
Githuku said, “The race wasn’t easy, but this win motivates me to push harder and aim for international races,” while Kipsang noted the hilly terrain slowed him down, promising a stronger performance next time.
The women’s half-marathon was claimed by Karen Wainaina in 1:10:40, ahead of Fridah Rerimoi (1:14:23) and Winny Chebet (1:15:21). Caren Wainaina triumphed in the women’s 21km race.
John Wambua stole the spotlight in the 21km wheelchair race.
“I trained very well and was hoping to finish in position two or one, but through God’s grace and hard work, I won,” Wambua said, adding that his next goal is to compete in the London Marathon.
For the first time, the 42km race featured an exclusive finish line for elite runners at Uhuru Gardens, while the 21km and 10km races concluded at separate points within the venue to reduce congestion. The day also included a 5km Family Fun Run, CEO Challenge and Corporate Challenge.
Since its inception, the marathon has hosted over 300,000 participants and raised more than Sh850 million for community and charitable causes. This year, organisers surpassed their target, raising Sh70 million for the “Future Makers” programme, up from Sh48 million last year.
