Message from the CEO
Together, we have created something truly special – an event that embodies the spirit of community, perseverance, and achievement. Much gratitude goes to our partners, sponsors, clients, colleagues and marathon enthusiasts for the commitment and agility shown in the 19th edition of marathon. In 2022, we managed to host over 20,000 participants,plant over 21,000 trees and collected more than KES. 37 million towards the Futuremakers initiative.
As we host our 20th edition, a special recognition goes to Athletics Kenya for the endorsement and collaboration in delivering the marathon over the last 19 editions. Our promise is to keep growing and making the marathon better.In our 19th edition, we started the journey of ensuring our marathon goes beyond a sporting event to become a platform for driving our sustainability and community engagement initiatives. At Standard Chartered, we aim to minimize the negative impact of our events and drive positive change wherever we can.
As we launch our second sustainability impact report to the public, our commitment is to become the world’s most sustainable and responsible bank. We are making conscious and deliberate efforts to ensure that the same is reflected in our marathon. In line with our sustainability initiative, we are committed to create a marathon platform that:
- Delivers mass-participation sporting events that improve health, wellbeing and provide a sense of achievement to our participants
- Is open, inclusive and stimulate community engagement, civic engagement and local economic development
- Provides a platform to inspire others to better themselves
- Promotes innovation, collaboration and solidarity amongst participants and spectators
- Has a positive impact on the natural environment
Our partnership with Kenya Forest Services allowed us to create awareness on the importance of green spaces within our cities. We hosted pre-marathon events at the Nairobi Arboretum, Karura Forest, Ngong Forest Sanctuary. As we countdown towards marathon day, I urge all of you to continue using these spaces to prepare for the main marathon..
We will continue to champion for diversity and inclusion within the marathon. We will be partnering with Light for World, SightSavers and APDK to help train People with Disabilities prepare for the marathon. We will also ensure that they are recruited to be part of the team that will be organising the marathon.
We are committed to host a sustainable marathon and we owe it to future generations to protect the planet. Let’s use this event as an opportunity to raise awareness about sustainability and inspire others to take action.Through the slogan of ‘a tree per runner’ we target to plant at least 25,000 trees in 2023. We acknowledge that the realization of our ambition will be propelled through partnerships with stakeholders.
The 20th edition of the marathon promises to be bigger and better. This year, the marathon will be held on Sunday 29th October 2023 at the Southern Bypass with Uhuru gardens as the marathon venue. We target to have 25,000 runners for the marathon.
As we look back and reflect on some of the milestones we have achieved over the past 19 editions, I am delighted to tell the story of Daniel Othieno Odongo who was born blind. While in university the Seeing is Believing initiative funded his eye surgery and he regained full sight. He later enrolled at Skylink Aviation College and became a pilot.
I invite all of you to register and join us for the marathon. You will be supporting our Futuremakers initiative to support the youth to learn, earn and grow.
Mobilise your family, friends and colleagues to join us and Run As One.
I hope to see you on the running trails at Arboretum, Karura Forest or Ngong Forest Sanctuary as you prepare to challenge for your best time come October!
Asanteni!
Kariuki Ngari,
Chief Executive Officer, Standard Chartered Bank Kenya