1,000 compete in Mombasa satellite run ahead of 23rd Standard Chartered Nairobi marathon

Nearly 1,000 runners converged on Mombasa for the Standard Chartered Mombasa Satellite Run on Sunday, setting the stage for the 23rd edition of the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon, slated for October 25 at Uhuru Gardens. Brian Kurgat claimed victory in the men's 21km race, while Eusilah Jemeli secured the women's title. This year's event saw a 25% increase in participation, up from 800 runners in 2022.

The 21km, 10km, and 5km races all commenced and concluded at Mama Ngina Waterfront, traversing significant landmarks such as Pandya Hospital, Fontanella Roundabout, and Sea View Plaza. Martin Madinda and Sylvia Carson emerged triumphant in the men's and women's 5km races, respectively, with Duncan Komen and Gloria Bahati taking the top spots in the 10km races.

Notably, 84-year-old Lalit Doshi completed the 10km course, and Amin Hussein, a gifted young athlete, received special recognition. Standard Chartered Mombasa Marathon Local Organising Committee Chairperson, David Mwindi, emphasized the marathon's role in fostering community unity and supporting social and economic development through initiatives backed by the Standard Chartered Foundation.

The surge in participation—up from 800 last year to 1,000 this year—underscores the growing enthusiasm for the marathon's broader mission. David Mwindi expressed optimism that this momentum would carry over to the Nairobi Marathon, which is projected to draw 30,000 participants from over 100 nationalities and more than 400 elite athletes.

With sponsorship reaching Ksh 273 million, including a Ksh 130 million contribution from Standard Chartered, the marathon's 2026 edition has already raised approximately Ksh 520 million for programs focused on employability, entrepreneurship, and skills development for underprivileged groups.