Nairobi, October 25, 2026…… Beer, wine and spirits marketing company, Kenya Wine Agencies Limited (KWAL) has re-affirmed its support for the annual Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon (SCNM), terming the race an inclusive fitness and wellness event whose beneficial social impact transcends sports to include communities especially youth.
According to KWAL Commercial Director, Alice Mwalimo, the partnership is anchored on KWAL’s long-term commitment to improving the wellbeing of communities through sports and active lifestyle choices. “As a brand, we are committed to supporting individuals in their wellness journey and lifestyle goals including participating in events like the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon,” she said.
KWAL, through its non-alcohol brands, Heineken® 0.0, is the Official 21-kilometer Partner of the SCNM. This year, the company sponsored the marathon to the tune of Ksh 10 million, bringing its total support since last year to Ksh 20 million. KWAL contributed Ksh 5 million towards the marathon in 2024.
This is the third year running that KWAL has supported the marathon event which attracted 30,700 runners from 102 nationalities, including 200 elite athletes this year, ranking among the biggest sporting events in Africa. The 21-km race attracted 10,500 participants this year. “The growth of the 21km category – now the biggest race in the Marathon – speaks volumes about the growth of a vibrant running culture in Kenya,” Mwalimo points out.
In the men’s 21km race, Nahason Kipsang took the title, followed by Wycliffe Kirwa and Kevin Kemoi. In the women’s category, Orba Chemurgor won, ahead of Esther Porura and Mercy Kimaiyo. The winners received their trophies and cash prizes from KWAL Managing Director Lina Githuka and Commercial Director Alice Mwalimo. The top three finishers in each category received Ksh 300,000, Ksh 150,000 and Ksh 100,000 respectively.
Since inception in 2003, the SCNM has evolved beyond sports into a major sustainability platform impacting lives and communities. Apart from encouraging physical fitness, an integral part of individual wellness, the marathon directly contributes to community wellbeing by creating economic opportunities towards poverty alleviation and tackling unemployment, especially among young people.
“The marathon attracts thousands of runners each year, signifying its unique contribution to the growth of sports in Kenya. Beyond sports, the marathon also provides an avenue for KWAL and Heineken® to support the broader agenda of community wellbeing through the FutureMakers initiative” added Mwalimo.
Heineken® 0.0 increases sponsorship for 2025 standard chartered Nairobi Marathon
FutureMakers is an economic inclusion program by Standard Chartered supporting disadvantaged young people to learn new skills to access jobs and start businesses. Besides, the marathon itself is inclusive by bringing together people from all walks of life to run and compete as they strive to achieve their fitness and health goals. “By promoting inclusion, the marathon resonates with Heineken® 0.0’s responsible marketing approach based on creating inclusive social experiences where people feel free to socialize whether taking alcohol or not,” says Kui Kinyanjui, Corporate Affairs Director, KWAL, citing the synergy between the marathon’s objectives and Heineken® 0.0’s social inclusiveness agenda.
The marathon sponsorship by KWAL is similarly inspired by Heineken® 0.0’s global marketing campaign titled “0.0 Reasons Needed” promoting acceptance of zero-alcohol choices. Heineken® 0.0 has also been running an online campaign in the lead up to the marathon, inviting runners and supporters to state their reason for taking part in the race.
Kinyanjui adds, “From a lifestyle perspective, marathons and running clubs bring together friends, colleagues and families, and while socialising, people increasingly want ways to catch up, celebrate and unwind, sometimes without alcohol as the main thing. Heineken® 0.0 is about creating those moments, hence “0.0 Reasons Needed,”
