NAIROBI: Over 25,000 participants have registered for the 2024 Standard Chartered Marathon, marking the highest registration in the event’s history, according to Nairobi Marathon Local Organising Committee chairperson Peter Gitau. The marathon, slated for October 27, 2024, will feature a variety of categories, including a 42 km race, a 21 km wheelchair race, and a 5 km family run.
According to Kenya News Agency, Gitau detailed plans for the event, emphasizing the efforts made to enhance the experience for participants and spectators alike. The marathon route will include designated areas for spectators, pacers, and hydration stations equipped with water mists. Ensuring the well-being of participants, Gitau assured that sufficient supplies of water, electrolytes, and fruits would be available.
Prize money for the marathon has been increased, with the top prize for the 42 km race rising from Sh750,000 to Sh1 million for both men and women. Gitau mentioned that a kitty collection is ongoing at Uhuru Gardens fr
om October 23 to 26, but there will be no collection on the marathon day itself.
Joyce Kibe, Head of Corporate Affairs and Brand Marketing at Standard Chartered, highlighted the marathon’s broader impact, noting that 300,000 participants have registered since its inception. Kibe also discussed the Future Makers Initiative, launched three years ago to support youth education, focusing on women and people with disabilities. The initiative has raised Sh95 million, the highest donation from Africa linked to marathon registrations.
Security measures will be robust, with the National Police Service ensuring safety through the deployment of officers for general protection, traffic control, and crime prevention. Superintendent Officer Boniface Otieno announced road closures to support the marathon, specifying that certain routes, such as the Southern Bypass, will be closed from 11:59 pm on October 26, 2024, to 1:30 pm on October 27, 2024.