Benson Tunyo and Emily Chepkemoi surged to victory in the
men’s and women’s 42km races at the Nairobi City Marathon on Sunday morning.
This highlighted an exciting day of long-distance dominance that saw parts of the capital shut down to host thousands of runners.
The elite marathoners took off at 6:45 a.m. on the Nairobi Expressway, setting the stage for a test of stamina, strategy and speed under the city’s cool dawn skies.
Tunyo claimed top honours in the men’s category with a time of 2:08:38, earning a Sh3.5 million winner’s prize.
Justus Limo settled for second place and pocketed Sh2.25 million, while Albert Kangogo came in third to take home Sh1.5 million.
In the women’s 42km event, Chepkemoi clocked 2:27:01 to clinch the title, finishing just ahead of Vivian Jerotich and Lucy Chelele who also secured podium positions and shared the top-three prize purse.
At 8 a.m., the women’s 21km half marathon added to the day’s excitement as Nelvin Jepkemboi stormed to the win in 1:09:26. Millicent Jelimo followed in 1:09:41, while Emily Chebet sealed third in 1:10:22.
Winners in the half marathon walked away with Sh1.5 million, Sh800,000, and Sh500,000 respectively.
The men’s 10km race, flagged off at 10 a.m., was a dramatic sprint to the finish with Amos Kiprotich winning in 26:58.
Brian Kibor was a heartbeat behind at 26:59, and Zakariah Kirika followed at 27:00.
In the women’s 10km, Nairobi’s Christine Njoki emerged victorious after clocking 30:00 flat, followed by Diana Wanza (30:31) and Phena Yego (30:35).
The top three in the 10km categories earned Sh100,000, Sh60,000, and Sh40,000 respectively.
A 4km fun run brought the atmosphere to the final stretch of the day.
It attracted casual runners, fitness enthusiasts, and entire families in celebration of community wellness and fitness.
Athletics Kenya President Lt. Gen (Rtd) Jackson Tuwei lauded the event’s growth and importance to the athletics calendar.
“The Nairobi City Marathon has not only offered an international-class race on Kenyan soil but also inspired thousands across the country. It’s a celebration of our athletes and our identity as a running nation,” said Tuwei.
