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The 21st edition of the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon has garnered over KES 173 million from sponsors ahead of the much-anticipated race scheduled for October 27, 2024, at Uhuru Gardens. This generous support, which includes both cash and in-kind contributions, aims to enhance the experience for participants and further empower community initiatives.
Since its inception, the marathon has welcomed over 300,000 runners, establishing itself as one of the region’s premier athletic events. “We are excited to collaborate with our sponsors to promote community engagement, boost local economic growth, and empower youth through the FutureMakers initiative by Standard Chartered. Proceeds from the marathon help young people—especially women and individuals with disabilities—learn, earn, and grow,” stated Peter Gitau, Chair of the Local Organising Committee for the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon.
This year, the marathon has attracted over 40 sponsors and partners, an increase from 30 last year, demonstrating a collective commitment to transforming lives, nurturing talent, and fostering sports globally. Standard Chartered has made a significant contribution of KES 100 million towards the event, while Prudential, one of the world’s most trusted insurance companies, has stepped in with KES 10 million as the official sponsor for the 5KM Family Fun Run. Prudential’s involvement includes cash and in-kind support, ensuring comprehensive insurance coverage for all participants.
“By partnering with the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon, we reinforce our commitment to initiatives that positively impact communities. Our goal is not only to support emerging and elite athletes in launching their international careers but also to inspire families to embrace a culture of fitness and well-being,” said Gwen Kinisu, CEO of Prudential.
The Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon also aims to promote Diversity and Inclusion (D&I), being the only marathon in the country with a special category for persons with disabilities. Light for the World has supported evaluation efforts to ensure the marathon is inclusive, and CBM Christian Blind Mission, a leader in disability inclusion, will provide essential support for participants with disabilities. Additionally, Kisskids will set up mothers’ rooms along the route and venue for participating mothers.
“Disability inclusion at the Standard Chartered Marathon is a critical step toward building an inclusive society where everyone, regardless of ability, can participate fully. By ensuring that the marathon is accessible to persons with disabilities, we are promoting equal opportunities in sports and raising awareness of the importance of inclusivity in all aspects of life,” commented Daniel Oloo, Interim Country Director of Light for World Kenya.
Other sponsors contributing cash support include G4S, MSF-Doctors Without Borders, La Roche, Bata, Carrefour Supermarkets, Healthy U, and Heineken 0.0. Refreshments will be provided by Coca-Cola and Minute Maid, while Kinderville Junior School will sponsor the Kiddie Zone. Hydration partners include Tetra Pak, Reload, and ORS. Emergency medical support and post-race care will be provided by AAR Healthcare, Aga Khan University Hospital, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), and AMREF.
PTG will offer kit delivery services to corporate participants, while Little Africa will provide logistics support through shuttling services to and from the venue. NTT Data will ensure reliable internet connectivity throughout the event. Sports tourism initiatives will be spearheaded by Magical Kenya, Kenya Wildlife Services, Bonfire Adventures, and Kenya Airways, the official flight partner. Efforts focused on sustainability will involve organizations such as Unicaf, WWF, and the Peace and Cultural Heritage Alliance, with Takataka as Hurricane Global managing cleaning services.
“We are truly honored to partner with the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon. This collaboration provides an invaluable platform to promote Kenya as a bucket-list destination for runners, fans, and sports tourists from around the world. We believe it will significantly boost visitor numbers for both the race and our country as a whole,” said June Chepkemei, CEO of the Kenya Tourism Board.
Hosted by Nairobi County at the Uhuru Gardens National Monument and Museum, this year’s marathon expects over 25,000 participants. The event will feature various races, including the 42km, 21km, and 10km distances, alongside a popular 5km Family Run and similar competitions for persons with disabilities. Runners will enjoy fresh fruit along the route, provided by Greenspoon and Tawi, while relief stations will feature products from Rohto, including Deep Heat and Deep Freeze. LG-OPALNET will supply screens and speakers for route entertainment, and long-standing partners Subaru and G4S will provide lead car and security services, respectively.
Registration for the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon is open at www.nairobimarathon.com for KES 2,000 and will close on October 13, 2024.
