Online registration for 2016 StanChart Nairobi Marathon

Paralympian Henry Wanyoike (left) and his guide Joseph Kibunja during a ceremonial run to launch the 2015 Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon on September 19, 2015 at Uhuru Park. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |

What you need to know:

  • Majang emphasised that registration for the race will close at the midnight on August 31.
  • This year’s competition, which targets to raise Sh75 million, is expected to attract more than 30,000 participants. More than Sh8 million has been set aside as prize money.

Registration for this year’s Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon set for October 30 will be done online, organisers have announced.

Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) Chief Executive Officer Lamin Majang has disclosed that unlike in previous editions of the annual marathon when organisers put up manual registration centres across the country and also accepted online registration, the process will only be done online this year.

Majang emphasised that registration for the race will close at the midnight on August 31. This year’s competition, which targets to raise Sh75 million, is expected to attract more than 30,000 participants. More than Sh8 million has been set aside as prize money.

Running kits will be issued after close of the registration period at select Standard Chartered Bank branches and at Nyayo National Stadium.

“We would like to borrow from best practice witnessed in renowned international marathons. As we strive to raise the profile of this event, we have also to start doing things differently,” said Majang.

Registration fee is Sh2,000 per person. The routes for various races will remain the same as last year. Races involved are full 42km marathon, 21km (half marathon), 10km, 5km and 21km (professional wheelchair race).

Majang said 30 chief executive officers from various companies have been invited to participate in 2.5km CEOs Challenge that was introduced last year. Majang said SCB has set aside Sh90 million for this year’s championship.

Over 21,000 people attended last year’s races, with Sh40m being realised for the Seeing is Believing initiative, the SCB’s flagship programme that aims at curbing blindness among children aged 15 years and below.

More than Sh 150m has been raised with more than 10,000m children benefiting from corrective surgery since the marathon was launched in 2003.

“We are strict on online registration and registration deadline since we want to give the organisers ample time to prepare and present a good race. This is also in line with international standards,” said Majang.

Race director Ibrahim Hussein said they have put in place proper machinery to curb cheating.

“We have a secret 5km loop on Mombasa Road where the contestants will be captured besides other places along the route. There will be aerial surveillance and route Marshalls to compliment,” warned Hussein.