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You have trained for months. The last thing you want on race weekend is a scramble over where to collect your bib, what to eat at 5am or whether you can shower after the finish. The Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon 2026 is on Sunday 25 October, and a little planning around your hotel stay makes the whole weekend calmer. This guide takes you from arrival to the Monday after, with honest notes on what is confirmed and what you still need to check.
Check availability & book direct · Nairobi Marathon stays at Karen Plains Hotel
What is confirmed, and what to check
At the time of writing, the organiser and Citizen Digital confirm the race date as Sunday 25 October 2026. The race categories are the 42km marathon, 21km half marathon, 21km wheelchair race, 10km, the CEO Challenge, the Corporate Challenge and the 5km Family Fun Run. Coverage places the race in the Southern Bypass area.
What had not been confirmed for 2026 when we checked:
- The exact start and finish points
- Bib and race kit collection location, dates and times
- Road closures and access routes for race morning
Please check the official race information for these details as race day approaches, and do not rely on what you remember from a previous edition. It is also worth noting that this race is separate from other Nairobi running events with similar names, so double-check your registration.
How many nights do you need?
| Your situation | Suggested nights | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Flying in for the marathon or half | Friday, Saturday and Sunday | Time to collect your bib, rest and not rush the flight home |
| Running the 10km or 5km from elsewhere in Kenya | Saturday, possibly Sunday | An easy start without a long drive before dawn |
| Travelling with supporters | Add Sunday night | Everyone can relax after the race instead of packing |
| Combining the race with a holiday | Add Monday onwards | A Giraffe Centre visit or a park tour when your legs are ready |
Choose your own dates in the booking engine. Check-in is from 12:00 and check-out is by 10:00.
Arrival: build in a buffer
Try to land no later than Friday if you are flying internationally. Long flights and a late arrival the night before a race rarely help. A few practical points:
- We can arrange a private airport transfer. From JKIA it is US$55 per vehicle, one way, by sedan for up to three people, or US$95 by 4×4 Land Cruiser for up to six. From Wilson it is US$45 by sedan or US$85 by 4×4. See airport transfers.
- Our front desk is open 24/7, so a late arrival is fine.
- Pack race shoes and kit in your hand luggage if you can. It is much easier than replacing them.
Saturday: bib collection and an easy day
Collect your bib and race kit wherever and whenever the organiser specifies. Once that is done, keep the day simple.
- Lay out everything for the morning: bib pinned, shoes, watch charged, anything you plan to carry.
- Stick to food you know works for you. Our kitchen serves Kenyan, Swahili and traditional African dishes, and lunch and dinner can be added for US$40 per day.
- Order your packed breakfast before you go to bed. Our breakfast service starts at 7:00, which is likely to be too late for race morning.
- Check the latest official race information for start times and road closures, then plan your route.
Not sure how you will get to the start? Message us on WhatsApp with your start time. Race-morning transport is not a confirmed service, but we are happy to talk through your options.
Race morning: a simple timeline
Work backwards from your start time once the organiser publishes it.
- Night before: confirm your transport and pickup time, and set two alarms.
- Wake-up: eat your packed breakfast at the time you normally eat before a long run.
- Departure: leave with plenty of margin. Journey times vary with Nairobi traffic; check a live traffic app for your schedule, and allow for possible road closures.
- At the start: follow the organiser's instructions for bag drop and corrals.
After the finish
Check-out is by 10:00, which for most runners falls during or just after the race. Two ways to handle it:
- Book Sunday night. This is the simplest option if you want to return, shower and rest.
- Ask about late check-out. It is not confirmed in advance, so please ask us early. Luggage storage is available if you check out before the race.
Once you are back, send your kit to laundry (US$20 per bag, washed, dried and folded) and sit down to a proper meal. If you would like a treat, our partner spa, Manama Spa & Barbershop, is a short drive away on Lang'ata Road. Staying guests get free pickup and drop-off, and treatments are booked and paid separately with Manama. Think of it as an optional way to relax, not a substitute for advice from your own coach or doctor. Read more about the Manama partnership.
For supporters
If a partner or friend is travelling with you, Karen has plenty to fill a weekend. The Giraffe Centre and the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust are nearby, the Waterfront Karen mall is a few steps from the hotel, and Cave à Manger serves wine-paired dinners in our own Karen Plains Arcade.
Plan your stay with us
Karen Plains Hotel is an independent boutique hotel in Karen, south-west Nairobi. Book your nights, then tell us about your race plan so we can help with the details. Come for the race. Let us help with the rest.
Check availability & book direct · Ask your KPH concierge on WhatsApp · Nairobi Marathon stays at Karen Plains Hotel
Live rates and availability are shown in our booking engine. Extras such as transfers, meals, tours and spa visits are quoted and confirmed separately. Cancellation and prepayment terms depend on the rate you choose and are shown before you pay. See our cancellation and refund policy.
Event details checked on the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon website and Citizen Digital in September 2026. Karen Plains Hotel is independent and not affiliated with Standard Chartered or the race organisers.
