Standard Chartered Marathon Secures Record KSh273 Million Sponsorship
The Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon has secured KSh273 million in sponsorship and other support ahead of its 23rd edition, set for October 25.
Standard Chartered has committed KSh130 million to the race, while other corporate and development partners have provided a further KSh143 million in cash and in-kind contributions, organisers said.
The 2026 event has attracted 56 sponsors, compared with 43 last year. This represents a 30 percent increase in the number of participating sponsors.
The total sponsorship package is also 17 percent higher than the KSh233 million raised in 2025 and 58 percent above the KSh173 million secured in 2024.
Organisers expect more than 30,000 runners from 102 nationalities to take part, including more than 400 elite athletes.
The additional funding will support key areas of race management, including runner safety and welfare, nutrition, hydration, technology, transport and logistics.
Some of the support will also go towards community programmes associated with the marathon.
Kenya Wine Agencies Limited has contributed KSh10 million as the rights holder for the 21-kilometre Half Marathon.
Tetra Pak is providing KSh13 million for hydration, while Healthy U has committed KSh9.8 million towards GU gels.
ORS is contributing KSh8.6 million for electrolyte support, while Little Limited has provided KSh7.8 million as the accreditation partner.
Rohto has committed KSh5.8 million for relief stations, while Blue Band and Unicaf have each contributed KSh5 million towards the mist station and sustainability programme respectively.
Reload is providing KSh4.5 million as the isotonic sponsor, while Coca-Cola has committed KSh4.4 million for refreshments.Nike and Spiro will join the event’s sponsor line-up for the first time.
Nike has contributed KSh5 million as the official apparel sponsor, while Spiro will provide KSh4 million towards entertainment.
David Mwindi, chairman of the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon Local Organising Committee, said the increased investment would help improve race delivery while extending the event’s impact beyond race day.
“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 support would also help create opportunities for young people through employability, entrepreneurship and skills development programmes.
Joyce Kibe, Standard Chartered’s head of Corporate Affairs, Brand and Marketing for Kenya and Africa, said the marathon provides an opportunity for runners, clients, employees, communities and international visitors to come together in Nairobi.
The race will start and finish at Uhuru Gardens, with the route passing 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 event will also feature the CEO Challenge and Corporate Challenge. Several companies will support different aspects of the race.
They 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.
Greenspoon, La Roche, Dairyland, Fitbeat and Jadah Spas Limited will support areas covering fruit, sunscreen, ice cream, fitness, wellness and post-run recovery.
PTG will handle kit fulfilment, while AAR Healthcare and Aga Khan University Hospital will provide emergency and medical support. BasiGo will support transport, while NTT will provide data and connectivity services.
Takataka and JLL, through Hurricane Global, will support cleaning services. CFAO will provide the lead car, Kisskids will operate lactation stations and Uchumi will support parking and shelving.Magical Kenya, Jambojet, Kenya Wildlife Service and Kenya Airways will support the marathon’s sports tourism activities.
Ole Sereni and Hyatt Regency will provide hospitality support, while CBM will support inclusion. Nation Media Group and BPR Agency are the media partners.
Since its launch, the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon has attracted more than 345,000 participants and raised approximately KSh520 million for programmes supported through the Standard Chartered Foundation.
The programmes focus on employability, entrepreneurship and skills development for young people, women and people with disabilities. The marathon is organised in partnership with Nairobi City County, the Ministry of Sports, Athletics Kenya, the Kenya National Highways Authority and the Kenya Urban Roads Authority.
The race will be conducted in line with guidelines from World Athletics, the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races, Athletics Kenya and the Ministry of Health.
