Nairobi, 23 October 2024 — The 21st edition of the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon is set to take place on Sunday, 27 October 2024, with road closures and alternative traffic routes announced to accommodate over 25,000 registered participants.
The marathon will feature a scenic course beginning at Uhuru Gardens, passing along the Southern Bypass, with participants enjoying iconic views of the Nairobi National Park.
The marathon, which includes multiple categories ranging from the full 42km marathon to the 5km Family Fun Run, will conclude at Uhuru Gardens. The 5km race will finish on the Southern Bypass.
To minimize disruption, the Nairobi Traffic Department has issued a detailed schedule of road closures. Starting from midnight to 1:30 pm on Sunday, traffic will be redirected from the Southern Bypass. Superintendent of Police Benard Otieno, in charge of Road Traffic Safety, assured the public that measures have been taken to ensure smooth operations.
Road Closures and Alternative Routes
Motorists heading from Karen to Kikuyu are advised to use Dagoretti Road. For those traveling from Karen to Mombasa Road via the Southern Bypass, Lang’ata Road will serve as the main alternative. Meanwhile, motorists from Kikuyu to Dagoretti and from Karen (Karinde) to Kikuyu can continue using the Southern Bypass.
For drivers moving from Lenana (Ngong Road) to Kikuyu, Waiyaki Way will be accessible via Naivasha Road or James Gichuru Road. Traffic from Waiyaki Way to Mombasa Road will be rerouted through Karen Road to Lang’ata Road, with trailers and lorries restricted to Waiyaki Way.
Superintendent Otieno urged motorists to cooperate with traffic authorities during the closures, which will start at 11:00 PM on Saturday, 26 October, and end at 1:00 PM on Sunday, 27 October. He noted that 136 police officers, 30 DCI personnel, and 80 traffic officers have been deployed to ensure safety and manage traffic flow.
Race Start Times
The marathon schedule has been carefully planned to ensure a smooth flow of events. Key race start times are as follows:
21km Wheelchair: Start at 5:45 AM
42km Full Marathon: Start at 6:00 AM
21km Half Marathon: Start at 7:20 AM
10km Race: Start at 8:45 AM
5km Race: Start at 10:00 AM
Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Peter Gitau, emphasized the importance of an efficient, well-coordinated event. “We assure all participants that the event will run smoothly with minimal disruptions. Our race technical director and dedicated route marshals, supported by CCTV cameras, will oversee the entire course.”
Prize Pool and Participation
The 2024 edition boasts a prize pool of KES 12.9 million across various categories, with winners of the 42km full marathon taking home KES 2 million, KES 1 million, and KES 500,000 for first, second, and third place respectively. Athletes from 90 different nationalities will compete in the event.
Participants can collect their running kits at the collection center at Uhuru Gardens from 23 to 26 October.
As the Nairobi Marathon celebrates its 21st anniversary, it promises a memorable experience for both runners and spectators, continuing its legacy of promoting health and community engagement across Kenya.