Standard Chartered Marathon: Southern Bypass to be closed temporarily on Sunday

Standard Chartered has given an update of road closures for the upcoming 21st edition of the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon for 25,000 participants, which will take place on October 27, 2024. 

The Sunday marathon will commence at Uhuru Gardens along Lang’ata Road, with participants taking a scenic route on the Southern Bypass, offering views of the iconic Nairobi National Park.

The 5km Family Fun Run will finish on the Southern Bypass, while all other race categories will conclude at the Uhuru Gardens.

The Nairobi Traffic Department has prepared a road closure schedule to ensure smooth operations and minimise disruptions. 

From midnight to 1:30pm on the day of the marathon, traffic will be redirected from the Southern Bypass to alternative routes.

“Drivers travelling from Karen to Kikuyu will need to use Dagoretti Road, while those heading from Karen to Mombasa Road via the Southern Bypass should take Lang’ata Road instead,” Standard Chartered said in a statement.

However, motorists travelling from Kikuyu to Dagoretti will need not to readjust as they will still have access to the Southern Bypass. It will be the same for those commuting from Karen (Karinde) to Kikuyu, who can connect through Dagoretti Road.

For drivers moving from Lenana (Ngong Road) to Kikuyu, Waiyaki Way will serve as the primary route, accessible via either Naivasha Road or James Gichuru Road. 

While traffic from Waiyaki Way to Mombasa Road will be rerouted through Karen Road onto Lang’ata Road, trailers and lorries will remain on Waiyaki Way.

During a press briefing at the Carnivore Grounds on Wednesday, Superintendent of Police in charge of
Road Traffic Safety Benard Otieno assured the public that measures have been taken to ensure minimal inconvenience. 

He emphasized that alternative routes had been thoughtfully selected to reduce congestion and facilitate a smooth flow of traffic during the event.

“We wish to inform the public that the Southern Bypass will be temporarily closed from Saturday at 11pm until Sunday at 1pm for the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon. We urge motorists to cooperate with traffic authorities and use alternative routes during this period to minimise inconvenience,” said Mr Otieno.

He added that their top priority is ensuring a safe and seamless experience for everyone.

“To support this, we have deployed 136 police officers, 30 DCI personnel, and 80 traffic officers to manage safety and maintain a smooth flow of traffic,” he added.