In Summary:
- Kenyan athletes Benson Murkomen Tunyo and Emily Chepkemoi won the full marathons at the Nairobi City Marathon, showcasing strong local talent.
- The event featured 16,000 athletes from 75 countries, with Kenyans also winning the men’s half marathon and both 10 km races.
- Winners received substantial prize money, with full marathon champions taking home KSh. 3.5 million each.
In a thrilling display of athleticism, Kenyan runners swept the top honors at the Nairobi City Marathon on July 6, 2025. Benson Murkomen Tunyo and Emily Chepkemoi powered through chilly conditions to win the men’s and women’s full marathons, respectively, each earning KSh. 3.5 million. Kenyan athletes also secured victories in the men’s half marathon and both 10 km races, highlighting their dominance in the event, which attracted 16,000 participants from 75 countries.
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Murkomen and Chepkemoi Crowned Marathon Champions
Benson Murkomen Tunyo, 30, emerged victorious in the men’s 42 km race with a time of 2:08:36.
This marks a significant improvement for Murkomen, who previously finished eighth in the 2023 edition of the Nairobi City Marathon and twelfth at the Eldoret City Marathon this year.
He pulled ahead at the 31 km mark to control the race, ultimately missing the course record by just 59 seconds.
Following Murkomen, Justus Limo secured second place with a time of 2:08:42, and Kangogo Albert completed the podium in third, clocking 2:09:06.
In the women’s full marathon, Emily Chepkemoi, 26, clinched the title with an impressive time of 2:25:45.
Chepkemoi, who also won the 2024 Eldoret City Marathon, stated that endurance was key to her success.
Vivian Jerotich finished second with 2:26:31, and Lucy Chelele took third, recording 2:26:35.
Both Murkomen and Chepkemoi were awarded KSh. 3.5 million for their victories, while second- and third-place finishers in the full marathon received KSh. 2.25 million and KSh. 1.5 million, respectively.
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Half Marathon and 10km Victories
The men’s half marathon (21 km) was dominated by Evans Kipchumba Kiyeng, who won in 1:01:20.
He was closely followed by fellow Kenyans Stephen Kimutai (1:01:21) and Nahason Kipsang (1:01:32).
Kipchumba, making his debut at the Nairobi City Marathon, credited his win to proper preparations and a strong finishing kick.
In the women’s 21 km race, Nelvin Jepkemboi secured the victory with a time of 1:09:25. Millicent Jelimo came in second at 1:09:36, and Emily Chebet finished third with 1:10:19.
The 10 km races also saw compelling finishes. Christine Njoki triumphed in the women’s 10km with a time of 30:04, ahead of Diana Wanza (30:31) and Phena Yego (30:35).
Amos Kiprotich won the men’s 10km race in 26:58, narrowly beating Brian Kibor (26:59) and Zakariah Kirika (27:00).
Winners in the half marathon category received KSh. 150,000, with second and third place earning KSh. 80,000 and KSh. 50,000, respectively.
For the 10 km races, the top three finishers received KSh. 100,000, KSh. 60,000, and KSh. 40,000.
The running course, which snaked through the iconic Nairobi Expressway, provided a challenging yet scenic route for the thousands of participants, reaffirming the Nairobi City Marathon’s growing reputation as a significant event in Africa’s athletics calendar.
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