Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon Secures Record Sh273 Million Sponsorship as 30,000 Runners Prepare for 2026 Race

KWAL’s Commercial Director, Alice Mwalimo, leads the team in handing over a KES 10 million cheque to Standard Chartered’s Head of Corporate Affairs, Brand & Marketing (CABM) for Kenya & Africa, Joyce Kibe (far left), and Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon Local Organizing Committee member David Mwindi (far right), in support of the 23rd edition of the race. The marathon has received a total of KES 273 million in sponsorship and partner support.

By Wasike Elvis 

 The Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon has secured a record Sh273 million in combined sponsorship and support ahead of its 23rd edition, marking a major increase in corporate investment in one of Kenya’s most prominent mass-participation sporting events.

The 2026 marathon is scheduled for October 25, 2026, with organisers expecting more than 30,000 runners representing 102 nationalities to take part in the various race categories.

The field is expected to include more than 400 elite athletes, alongside thousands of amateur runners, corporate participants, families and people taking part in the wheelchair race.

Standard Chartered has committed Sh130 million towards this year’s event, while other sponsors have collectively provided Sh143 million in cash and in-kind support.

The record sponsorship comes as the marathon continues to expand its reach, with the number of sponsors increasing from 43 in 2025 to 56 in 2026, representing a 30 per cent increase.

The combined sponsorship value is also 17 per cent higher than the Sh233 million secured in 2025 and 58 per cent above the Sh173 million raised in 2024.

Organisers said the increased investment will help improve the overall race experience while strengthening operations around safety, medical care, nutrition, hydration, technology, transport and logistics.

The additional resources are also expected to support the marathon’s wider community programmes, which seek to use sport as a platform for youth development, employability, entrepreneurship and skills development.

David Mwindi, Chairman of the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon Local Organising Committee, said the record sponsorship demonstrates the commitment of Standard Chartered and its partners to the continued growth of the event.

“This record KES 273 million investment reflects the shared commitment of Standard Chartered and our sponsors to delivering a world-class marathon with lasting impact,” Mwindi said.

He said the organisers were focused not only on delivering a safe and memorable experience for the thousands of runners but also on ensuring that the event creates opportunities for communities beyond race day.

“Beyond creating a safe and memorable experience for more than 30,000 runners, this support enables us to expand opportunities for young people through employability, entrepreneurship and skills development,” Mwindi said.

He expressed appreciation to the sponsors for their contribution towards making the 2026 edition one of the most impactful editions since the marathon was established.

Among the leading sponsors this year is Kenya Wine Agencies Limited (KWAL), which has contributed Sh10 million as the rights holder for the 21-kilometre Half Marathon.

Tetra Pak has committed Sh13 million as the hydration sponsor, while Healthy U has contributed Sh9.8 million in support of GU gels.

ORS is supporting the event as an electrolyte sponsor with a contribution of Sh8.6 million, while Little Limited has provided Sh7.8 million as the accreditation sponsor.

Rohto has contributed Sh5.8 million as the relief station sponsor, helping support facilities along the race route where runners can receive assistance.

Blue Band has contributed Sh5 million towards a mist station, while Unicaf has also committed Sh5 million as the sustainability sponsor.

Other major contributions include Sh4.5 million from Reload, which is supporting the marathon as an isotonic sponsor, and Sh4.4 million from Coca-Cola, which is the refreshment sponsor.

The 2026 edition will also introduce new major sponsors, with Nike and Spiro making their debut at the marathon.

Nike has committed Sh5 million and will serve as the official apparel sponsor, while Spiro has contributed Sh4 million and will support the entertainment component of the event.

Standard Chartered Head of Corporate Affairs, Brand & Marketing, Kenya and Africa, Joyce Kibe, said the marathon provides participating brands with an opportunity to connect with a large and diverse audience.

She said the event brings together runners, customers, employees, communities and visitors from different parts of the world, creating a platform for corporate engagement while generating value for Nairobi.

Kibe, however, noted that the success of a marathon cannot be measured only by the number of participants or the amount of sponsorship raised.

She said the experience created for runners and spectators, as well as what participants remember after completing the race, remains an important part of the event.

The Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon has grown into one of the bank's most important global running events.

It is ranked among the top three of Standard Chartered's 10 flagship running events held across four continents. Collectively, the bank's global running platform reaches approximately 250,000 runners.

The Nairobi event combines mass participation, corporate engagement, international visibility, sports tourism and community impact, making it an important component of Standard Chartered's global sporting portfolio.

KWAL Commercial Director Alice Mwalimo said the company's decision to support the Half Marathon reflects its commitment to promoting active lifestyles and creating opportunities for communities to come together.

“Our sponsorship of the 21 km Half Marathon reflects KWAL’s commitment to supporting active lifestyles and shared community experiences,” Mwalimo said.

She said the company was pleased to support an event that brings together runners of different abilities while contributing to social impact beyond the finish line.

The marathon has attracted a wide range of companies and organisations as sponsors and supporting partners.

Other sponsors include EABL, Harley's Limited, Carrefour Supermarkets, Unilever, Peptang, PZ Cussons, Molfix and Molped, G4S, Accurate Steel Mill, Orbit, Razco Limited, Indomie, Kenya Pipeline, Old Spice, Ariel and Downy, Panadol Extra Soluble, Eden Cabs and Beta Healthcare.

The nutrition, wellness and recovery category includes Greenspoon, La Roche, Dairyland, Fitbeat and Jadah Spas Limited, which are supporting areas ranging from fruit and sun protection to fitness, wellness and post-race recovery.

A number of organisations are also supporting the technical and operational side of the marathon.

PTG is supporting kit fulfilment, while AAR Healthcare and Aga Khan University Hospital will provide emergency and medical support to participants.

BasiGo will support transport, while NTT is providing data and connectivity services to support race operations and technology requirements.

Cleaning operations will receive support from Takataka and JLL through Hurricane Global, while CFAO will provide the lead car.

Kisskids will provide lactation stations, while Uchumi will support parking and shelving requirements.

The marathon will also play a role in promoting Kenya as a sports tourism destination.

Magical Kenya, Jambojet, Kenya Wildlife Service and Kenya Airways are supporting the sports tourism component, while Ole Sereni and Hyatt Regency are the hospitality sponsors.

CBM is supporting inclusion, with Nation Media Group and BPR Agency serving as media partners.

The 2026 race will start and finish at Uhuru Gardens, with the route running along the Southern Bypass.

Participants will compete in the 42-kilometre Full Marathon, 21-kilometre Half Marathon, 10-kilometre Road Race, 21-kilometre Wheelchair Race and 5-kilometre Family Fun Run.

The programme will also feature the CEO Challenge and Corporate Challenge, allowing business executives and employees to participate in the event alongside professional and recreational runners.

The wheelchair race is expected to provide an important platform for athletes with disabilities, reinforcing the marathon's broader focus on inclusion and accessibility.

Organisers say the event's impact extends well beyond the race route.

Since its inception, the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon has attracted more than 345,000 participants and contributed approximately Sh520 million towards programmes supported through the Standard Chartered Foundation.

These programmes focus on improving opportunities for young people, women and people with disabilities through employability, entrepreneurship and skills development.

The marathon therefore serves both as a major sporting event and as a fundraising and community development platform, with sponsorship helping support activities beyond the annual race.

The 2026 edition is being organised in partnership with Nairobi City County, the Ministry of Sports, Athletics Kenya, KeNHA and KURA.

The organisers are also working under guidelines set by World Athletics, the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS), Athletics Kenya and the Ministry of Health.

With sponsorship reaching a record Sh273 million, participation expected to exceed 30,000 runners and more than 50 corporate partners supporting the event, the 2026 Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon is set to be a major fixture on Kenya's sporting calendar.

The increased sponsorship also highlights the growing role of corporate investment in athletics and mass participation events, while providing a platform for businesses to engage with communities through sport.

As Nairobi prepares for the October 25 race, attention will turn to the elite field, thousands of recreational runners, corporate teams and families expected to fill the streets for an event that organisers say is designed to combine sport, health, inclusion, tourism and community impact.