Runners take part in the Friends of Karura Anniversary Race at Karura Forest.
The Friends of Karura Anniversary Race brought runners and families together ahead of the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon on October 25.
More than 1,000 runners took to the trails of Karura Forest on Sunday for the Friends of Karura Anniversary Race, a build-up event for the 23rd Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon.
The gathering combined running, family activities and environmental conservation as participants prepared for the main marathon, scheduled for October 25 at Uhuru Gardens. It brought together runners, families and members of the wider community.
Participants had four distances to choose from: 21km, 10km, 5km and 2km. The programme was followed by a family-friendly celebration at Amani Gardens, where a Berlin Marathon watch party also formed part of the day’s activities.
Karura trails provide preparation opportunity
The anniversary race was among the warm-up events leading to the Nairobi Marathon. These races give participants a chance to assess their preparation, strengthen their confidence and meet fellow runners before the main event.
At Karura, the range of distances placed longer runs alongside shorter races within the same programme. The event’s focus extended beyond race preparation to fitness, family participation and conservation, bringing those themes together in the forest setting.
The post-race programme carried that community focus into Amani Gardens. Families and runners gathered for the celebration, while the watch party brought the Berlin Marathon into the day’s sporting activities.
Sport and conservation share the spotlight
Joyce Kibe, Standard Chartered Bank’s Head of Corporate Affairs, Brand and Marketing for Kenya and Africa, welcomed the strong turnout at Karura.
She described the event as an opportunity to combine running with family involvement and environmental conservation. Kibe also highlighted the role of warm-up races in helping runners check their readiness, gain confidence and connect with others preparing for the marathon.
In her assessment, the Karura gathering demonstrated the marathon’s broader role in uniting communities through sport and shared causes. That emphasis placed the anniversary race within a wider programme of engagement ahead of the October event, rather than focusing solely on preparation for the longer distances.
Nairobi Marathon expects international field
The 2026 Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon is expected to draw more than 30,000 participants representing 102 nationalities. The projected turnout includes more than 400 elite athletes.
Athletes from Uganda, Ghana, Tanzania, Brazil and Ethiopia are among those expected in the field, underscoring the international participation anticipated for the 23rd edition.
With the main race set for Uhuru Gardens, the Karura event offered an earlier opportunity for runners to come together on the trails. Its mix of race distances and family activities linked individual preparation with the community focus highlighted during the anniversary gathering.
