Cyrus Barmasai and Grace Mwangi clinched victory in the men’s and women’s 21km races, clocking times of 1:16:52 and 2:24:03 respectively, during the Standard Chartered Mombasa Satellite Run.
The event, held at Treasury Square in CBD, attracted more than 650 participants and served as a warm-up for the upcoming 21st edition of the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon, set for Sunday, October 27, 2024, at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi.
The Mombasa Satellite Run featured three race categories: a 5km Family Fun Run, a 10km race, and a 21km race, offering local running enthusiasts a chance to participate in Kenya’s largest single-day sporting event without needing to travel to Nairobi.
In the men’s 21km race, Bonface Kiprotich and Eric Shikuku secured second and third places, respectively, while in the women’s race, Tamnai Miriam took second place, followed by Molly Yanda in third. In the 10km race, Michael Bett claimed first place in the men’s category, with Martha Akendo emerging victorious in the women’s category.
The 5km and 10km participants started their race from Treasury Square, following a scenic route through the iconic Mama Ngina Waterfront, looping around the Docks Roundabout, before returning to the starting point. Meanwhile, the 21km runners extended their route across the Nyali Bridge, turning at Nyali Cinemax before heading back to Treasury Square.
The Mombasa race was the final satellite run in the series, following two other successful events in Kisumu and Kakamega, where Vincent Ouma and Gideon Kibet, a first-year student at Masinde Muliro University, took the top spots respectively.
The concept of satellite runs originated during the COVID-19 pandemic, when virtual marathons allowed participants to compete from different locations amid restrictions on public gatherings.
“The inclusion of satellite races demonstrates our dedication to providing accessible fitness and sporting opportunities across the country. Each year, we’ve seen the number of participants in Kisumu, Kakamega, and Mombasa increase, encouraging us to continue hosting these minievents,” said Peter Gitau, Standard Chartered COO and Chairman, Marathon Local Organising Committee.
The 21st edition of the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon has secured support from over 40 sponsors, raising a total of KES 173 million. More than 25,000 runners have registered for this year's marathon, reflecting a 19% increase from the 21,000 participants in 2023.
Proceeds from the marathon will support Standard Chartered's Futuremakers initiative, which aims to empower young people, especially women and those with disabilities, by equipping them with the skills to learn, earn, and grow.
This initiative aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 8, which advocates for inclusive economic growth and decent work for all. Since its inception, the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon has hosted over 300,000 runners, cementing its reputation as one of the region's premier sporting events. This year, Standard Chartered has invested KES 100 million in the marathon.
The event will feature a range of races, including the 42km full marathon, 21km half marathon, 10km race, the popular 5km Family Fun Run, and specially designed events for individuals with disabilities.
