Standard Chartered today announced road closures for the upcoming 21st edition of the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon, which will take place on Sunday, 27 October 2024.

The marathon will commence at Uhuru Gardens along Lang’ata Road, with participants taking a scenic route on the Southern Bypass, offering views of the iconic Nairobi National Park. The 5km Family Fun Run will finish on the Southern Bypass, while all other race categories will conclude at Uhuru Gardens.

With more than 25,000 participants registered, the Nairobi Traffic Department has prepared a road closure schedule to ensure smooth operations and minimize disruptions. From midnight to 1:30 pm on the day of the marathon, traffic will be redirected from the Southern Bypass to alternative routes.

Alternative Routes

Drivers traveling from Karen to Kikuyu will need to use Dagoretti Road, while those heading from Karen to Mombasa Road via the Southern Bypass should take Lang’ata Road instead. Motorists traveling from Kikuyu to Dagoretti will still have access to the Southern Bypass, as will those commuting from Karen (Karinde) to Kikuyu, who can connect through Dagoretti Road.

For drivers moving from Lenana (Ngong Road) to Kikuyu, Waiyaki Way will serve as the primary route, accessible via either Naivasha Road or James Gichuru Road. Traffic from Waiyaki Way to Mombasa Road will be rerouted through Karen Road onto Lang’ata Road, although trailers and lorries will remain on Waiyaki Way. During a press briefing at the Carnivore Grounds, the Superintendent of Police in charge of

Road Traffic Safety, Benard Otieno, assured the public that measures have been taken to ensure minimal inconvenience. He emphasized that alternative routes had been thoughtfully selected to reduce congestion and facilitate a smooth flow of traffic during the event.

PUBLIC

“We wish to inform the public that the Southern Bypass will be temporarily closed from Saturday at 11 PM until Sunday at 1 PM for the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon. We urge motorists to cooperate with traffic authorities and use alternative routes during this period to minimize inconvenience. Our top priority is ensuring a safe and seamless experience for everyone.

To support this, we have deployed 136 police officers, 30 DCI personnel, and 80 traffic officers to manage safety and maintain a smooth flow of traffic,” said Mr. Otieno.

The marathon’s start times will be as follows:

Race Distance Arrival Time Assembly

Time

Start Time

21km Wheelchair 21km 5:00 am 5:30 am 5:45 am

42km Full Marathon 42km 5:00 am 5:30 am 6:00 am

21km Half Marathon 21km 6:20 am 6:40 am 7:20 am

10km Race 10km 7:45 am 8:15 am 8:45 am

5 km Race 5km 9:00 am 9:30 am 10:00 am

“We assure all participants that the event will run smoothly with minimal disruptions. The start and finish times have been meticulously planned for a well-organized race. Our race technical director, supported by dedicated route marshals and strategically placed CCTV cameras, will oversee the entire course, ensuring a world-class marathon experience. As we celebrate our 21st anniversary, we remain committed to upholding the highest standards and delivering a memorable experience for everyone involved,” said Peter Gitau, Chairman of the Local

Organising Committee.

Cash Prizes

The marathon boasts a total prize pool of KES 12.9 million across various categories.

Winners, along with the first and second runners-up in the 42km full marathon, will receive  KES 2 million, KES 1 million and KES 500,000 respectively. Over 25,000 athletes from 90  nationalities have registered.

Participants can collect their running kits on-site by visiting the running kit collection centre at  Uhuru Gardens from 23 October until 26 October 2024.