By ASVG Media
The Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon has secured a record KES 273 million in combined sponsorship and partner support for its October 25 edition, strengthening its position as one of East Africa's most commercially developed mass-participation sports properties. Standard Chartered is contributing KES 130 million, while partners are providing another KES 143 million in cash and in-kind support. The number of sponsors has risen from 43 in 2025 to 56 in 2026—a 30% increase—while total sponsorship value is up 17% year-on-year and 58% compared with 2024. More than 30,000 runners from 102 nationalities, including over 400 elite athletes, are expected.
What makes the property especially interesting commercially is the depth of its inventory. KWAL has acquired the 21km Half Marathon rights for KES 10 million, while brands are buying defined categories across hydration, nutrition, accreditation, sustainability, transport, healthcare, connectivity, hospitality and sports tourism. Nike joins this year as official apparel sponsor, while Kenya Airways, Jambojet and Magical Kenya are among partners connecting the event to tourism. This is the model African sports properties should increasingly pursue: do not sell one sponsorship—build an ecosystem of ownable commercial assets around the entire fan and participant journey.
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