The popular Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon is back after a one-year break as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic that is still sweeping across the country.
The marathon comes back on the map after over 17 editions, which has seen over 250,000 runners hosted and continues to reinforce its status as a ‘Big City Marathon’.
The Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon has grown to become the largest single-day sporting event putting Kenya on the world map. Elite athletes use it as a springboard to launch their international careers.
To set the ground for the grand return, Standard Chartered Bank COO and Chairman of Marathon Local Organising Committee., Peter Gitau held a talk Cabinet Secretary for Sports Amina Mohamed.
The SCB Kenya team is keen on ensuring that all covid protocols are strictly adhered to and has incorporated personnel from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Sports as part of their Local Organizing Committee. The marathon launch is set to take place in mid-July at the Nairobi Arboretum.
In 2019 alone, the marathon had about 17,000 participants across five race categories: 42km Full Marathon, 21km Half Marathon, 21km Wheelchair Race, 10km, and the 5km Family Fun Run. The 2019 marathon edition raised over KES 30 million shillings towards the FutureMakers Initiative. This global Standard Chartered Bank initiative is aimed at raising 50 million USD by 2023 towards reducing inequality and increasing economic inclusion for the younger generation. The resources put into this initiative have allowed 4,400 girls to undergo life skills and entrepreneurial training.