Nairobi residents are set to experience major traffic disruptions this weekend as the city prepares to host the Nairobi City Marathon on Sunday, July 6, 2025.

According to organisers, road closures will begin at 10:00 pm on Saturday, July 5, and continue until 2:00 pm on Sunday, July 6, to facilitate the smooth flow of the marathon. The Nairobi Expressway will be completely shut from James Gichuru to JKIA in both directions from Saturday, 10:00 pm to Sunday, 3:00 pm.

This year’s Nairobi City Marathon will kick off at a new starting point—Uhuru Park—marking a significant shift from Nyayo National Stadium. The fourth edition of the race, set for this Sunday, has seen a surge in registration, with over 15,000 runners confirmed and expectations of hitting 16,000 by race day.

Speaking during the official launch in Nairobi on Wednesday, Competitions Director Kennedy Tanui said the theme for 2025 is “I Love Nairobi.” The event has grown steadily since its inception, drawing fewer than 10,000 participants in its debut year to becoming one of Africa’s premier running competitions.

Billed as “the only marathon run in the sky,” the race unfolds entirely on the Nairobi Expressway, giving runners a scenic aerial view of the capital.

All slots in the 42km, 21km, and 10km races have already been filled. Only 500 spaces remain in the popular 4 km family fun run.

Tanui added that the Nairobi City Marathon now boasts the highest prize money for a marathon in Africa, underlining its growing prestige on the continent’s athletics calendar.

Other affected routes include Waiyaki Way inner lanes, closed from midnight Sunday until cleared by authorities; Uhuru Highway, closed between the Southern Bypass and Langata Roundabout, as well as from Bunyala Roundabout to Kenyatta Avenue, from 12 AM to 2 PM; Mombasa Road, Southern Bypass, and Likoni Road, including roundabouts and CBD-bound exits, shut from 12:00 to 11:00 am; and Kenyatta Avenue, between PanAfric Hotel and Uhuru Highway, closed from 12 AM to 4 PM.

“Other affected routes include Uhuru Highway, closed between the Southern Bypass and Langata Roundabout, as well as from Bunyala Roundabout to Kenyatta Avenue, from 12 AM to 2 PM; Mombasa Road, Southern Bypass, and Likoni Road, including roundabouts and CBD-bound exits, shut from 12:00 to 11:00 AM; and Kenyatta Avenue, between PanAfric Hotel and Uhuru Highway, closed from 12:00 to 4:00 pm, read the notice.

To minimise inconvenience, key alternative routes will remain open. These include the outer lanes of Waiyaki Way, Ngong Road, Raila Odinga Road, Langata Road, Lusaka Road, Bunyala Road, and parts of the Southern Bypass and Likoni Road. The official marathon map highlights closed routes in red and open ones in green, offering clear guidance for travellers.

With the race themed “I Love Nairobi,” the route will showcase the city’s iconic landmarks and high-altitude advantage, starting in Upper Hill and weaving through the CBD. Organisers have urged the public to plan travel early, expect delays, and consider using public transport to navigate around the closed roads.

The marathon also comes amid heightened security following recent demonstrations in the capital. Authorities have pledged to maintain order while ensuring the safety of both participants and residents.

For real-time updates, residents are encouraged to follow official marathon channels and local broadcasters.