Celebrated Paralympian Henry Wanyoike cruised to the tape to win the 10km category of the 2025 Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon warm-up race held in the Kenyan capital on Saturday.
The 10km and 5km warm-up races were used as launch pads for the 22nd edition of the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon, set for Uhuru Gardens/Southern Bypass on October 26, that is targeting 30,000 participants—5,000 more than the 25,000 participants last season.
“Winning this race is a good sign for things to come this year, it shows that I’m able to give my best in the forthcoming races I have in the year,” Wanyoike told Standard Sports.
“Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon is a race so dear to me, it is one championship that has supported the visually impaired athletes like me,” explained Wanyoike, who was flanked by his long-time guide Peter Njenga.
Wanyoike will take part in the 10km category of the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon competitively in October. His plan is to use the contest to gauge his body ahead of the Berlin Marathon where he will be out not only to defend his world marathon title for the visually impaired but also to break his 2:31:31 record.
“My aim is to lower my marathon record to a sub 2:28:00, that’s the focus this season,” said Wanyoike, who also holds the world 5,000m and 10,000m Paralympic records.
Ahead of the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon, Wanyoike is working on his mileage, speed, and endurance together with his guide, Njenga. They train on the rough, rugged terrains of Kikuyu region.
“I have no plans to retire soon. I’m still in good shape, both physically and mentally. So I’ll still run competitively to inspire the upcoming generations,” Wanyoike highlighted.
This year’s Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon will feature seven categories: the full marathon (42km), half marathon (21km), 10km race, 21km wheelchair race, 5km Family Fun Run, CEO Challenge, and Corporate Challenge.
“This diversity ensures the event remains inclusive, attracting participants from all walks of life — from elite athletes to families and business leaders.
“In the People With Disability category (wheelchair race), we are targeting 200 participants from the 196 realised last year,” Joyce Kibe, Standard Chartered Bank Head of Corporate Affairs, Brand and Marketing—Kenya and Africa, stated.
“Proceeds from this year’s marathon will go towards the Futuremakers program. This is our community approach to helping youth learn, earn, and grow,” Kibe said while adding, “The race will also advocate for sustainability, as each finisher will be issued with tree seedlings to plant.”
Through the marathon, the Bank plans to plant two million trees in the next five years. They will also advocate for the reduction of single-use plastics during the event.
Race Local Organising Committee chairman David Mwindi stated the registration that is currently ongoing for this year’s edition will be closed two weeks to the marathon. About 6,000 participants had already registered for the marathon, that is targeting over 100 nationalities, by Saturday (yesterday).
“To increase the marathon’s visibility, we will have a satellite race in Mombasa on October 20, before the main event six days later. This will be done in conjunction with the Mombasa County Government,” Mwindi explained.
Athletics Kenya representative George Kariuki is optimistic that the marathon will one day equal the World Marathon Majors.
“This is one race that has produced world record holders like Dennis Kimetto and we are proud to state that the Southern Bypass route where the marathon will be held will be marked to the World Athletics standards, meaning any record broken will be duly certified by the global athletics governing body,” Kariuki underlined.
Sports Ministry’s Carolyne Kariuki, who represented Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi during the launch, said the race is more than a marathon.