Major roads across Nairobi will be closed this weekend to pave the way for the fourth edition of the Nairobi City Marathon, with traffic disruptions expected to start from 10 pm on Saturday, July 5, and run through to 2 pm on Sunday, July 6.

According to organisers, the closures are meant to guarantee the safety of more than 15,000 participants and ensure the event runs smoothly.

The Nairobi Expressway, a vital route connecting James Gichuru and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), will be shut in both directions from Saturday night until 3 pm on Sunday.

Motorists heading to the airport have been advised to consider alternative routes or adjust their travel schedules.

Starting midnight on Sunday, the inner lanes of Waiyaki Way between Musa Gitau Road and the Expressway entrance will remain closed until 10 am.

Key intersections and roads such as Mombasa Road, the Southern Bypass, and Likoni Road will also be inaccessible between midnight and 11 am, with all roundabouts and town-bound access points sealed off.

Uhuru Highway, which runs through the centre of the city, will be out of service from midnight to 2 pm on Sunday, covering the section between Southern Bypass and Langata Roundabout, as well as Bunyala Roundabout to Kenyatta Avenue.

In addition, Kenyatta Avenue, from Panafric Hotel to Uhuru Highway, will be closed from midnight until 4 pm.

Motorists have been urged to familiarise themselves with the closure map and plan accordingly. Roads that will remain accessible include Thika Road, Raila Odinga Road, Lusaka Road, Langata Road and the Southern Bypass.

However, several major junctions such as University Way, Haile Selassie Avenue, Bunyala Road, Capital Centre, Popo Road and Kapiti Road will be out of bounds for the duration of the event.

Unlike previous editions that began and ended at Nyayo Stadium, this year’s marathon will start and finish at Uhuru Park. Competitions Director Kennedy Tanui confirmed the new venue and said the marathon had recorded a growth in participation from 13,000 last year to over 15,000 this year.

“We expect the number to hit 16,000 by race day,” he said.

Tanui added that this year’s theme is “I Love Nairobi”, reflecting the event’s growing stature as one of Africa’s premier road races.

“All slots in the 42km, 21km, and 10km races have been taken, and only 500 places remain in the 4km family fun run,” he noted.

The Nairobi City Marathon is recognised for being the only marathon entirely run on the elevated Nairobi Expressway, offering runners sweeping views of the capital.

It also offers the highest cash prizes for a marathon in Africa, with the winners of the full marathon set to receive Sh3.5 million each.

Runners from 75 countries have confirmed their participation. China leads the list with 375 athletes, followed by India with 103, and others from the United Kingdom, Ethiopia, Uganda and Japan.

Notable names expected to compete include two-time Paris Marathon winner Paul Lonyangata, Edward Cheserek, Flomena Cheyech, Viola Chepngeno and Sandrafelis Chebet Tuei.

Technical Director Ibrahim Hussein confirmed that the marathon’s route has been certified by World Athletics. All four races; 42km, 21km, 10km, and 4km, will begin and end at Uhuru Park to streamline logistics and enhance the spectator experience.

The race will take runners past several iconic Nairobi landmarks. Starting at Uhuru Park near the Intercontinental Hotel and Parliament, the route proceeds along Uhuru Highway to Museum Hill, merges with the Nairobi Expressway, and continues west past James Gichuru, Red Hill and Quickmart.

A U-turn at the Westlands Toll Station leads runners towards the JKIA exit before turning again and heading back via a dedicated stretch, exiting at Haile Selassie Avenue, passing Central Park, and finishing along Processional Way.

Eight hydration stations will be placed every five kilometres along the route.

Athletics Kenya President and World Athletics Vice President Jackson Tuwei hailed the event as a celebration of Kenya’s legacy in distance running.

“Kenya is known globally for its great marathon runners. We currently hold both the men’s and women’s world records. Ruth Chepngetich and the late Kelvin Kiptum are our latest icons, building on a legacy created by legends like Eliud Kipchoge,” said Tuwei.

“Most of our athletes wake up as early as 3 am and cover up to 60 kilometres before the rest of the country is even awake. Their sacrifice deserves our utmost respect.”

Tuwei also reiterated the organisers’ goal to elevate the Nairobi City Marathon to the level of the World Marathon Majors, positioning Nairobi as a key destination for elite global races.

“This marathon is not just a sporting event—it’s a source of civic pride. We want to make Nairobi a global reference point in road racing,” he said.

The marathon is also aligned with environmental efforts under the “I Love Nairobi” campaign, which aims to rehabilitate sites like Nairobi Dam and promote a cleaner city. All participants will receive themed T-shirts as part of the initiative.

Residents have been encouraged to line the streets, cheer on the runners, and take pride in the spirit of unity and resilience that the marathon represents for the capital.