The Nairobi City Marathon organisers target 15,000 participants before the close of the registration period on Saturday.
Athletics Kenya President Jackson Tuwei revealed 10,650 participants have registered for Sunday's race.
731 will compete in the 42km, 3,655 in the half marathon, 4,278 in the 10km race and 1,986 in the 6km fun run.
"We've seen tremendous interest in this year’s marathon, with 10,650 participants registered. We anticipate to reach our 15,000 participants by Saturday,” Tuwei said.
“We’ve capped the entries at 15,000 to match the exact number of medals and bib numbers we’ve prepared.”
The first edition in 2022 had 10,000 participants which rose to 13,000 last year.
Registration will close upon reaching the 15,000-participant limit or the Saturday evening deadline, whichever comes first.
There will be significant international presence at this year’s event including 155 runners from China, 130 from the United Kingdom, 75 from the United States and 56 from Tanzania.
“We have foreign athletes from 40 countries including Ghana, Mexico, Portugal, Bosnia, Libya, Zambia, India, Costa Rica, Poland, Denmark, Finland, Burundi, Czech Republic, Italy, Portugal and Colombia,” said Tuwei.
Winners from last year are expected to defend their crowns led by women's champion Naomi Jebet.
Jebet, the 2024 Madrid Marathon winner, took the Nairobi title in 2:24:33 ahead of Sharon Chelimo (2:25:20) and Judith Jerubet (2:27:01).
The men's race was won by Robert Kiplimo in 2:07:38 ahead of Charles Mneria (2:08:04) and Robert Kipkorir (2:08:11).
Race Director Ibrahim Hussein said: “The course has been certified by World Athletics and we’ve scheduled the races (in a manner) to ensure a smooth flow with no overlaps at the finish."
The full marathon will start at 6:45 am with the final athlete expected to cross the finish line by 12:22 pm.
The half marathon will start at 7:30 am followed by the 10km at 9 am and the 6km fun run at 10 am.
Lang'ata OCPD Gregory Mutiso assured participants of robust security measures.
Key roads, including the Nairobi Expressway from JKIA to ABC Place, Thika Road towards Uhuru Highway, James Gichuru Road and Waiyaki Way, will be closed on Saturday from midnight until 12:30 pm on Sunday.
Traffic coordinators will usher motorists onto alternative routes.
Winners of the 42km race will win Sh3.5 million. The runners-up and third-place finishers will earn Sh2.25 million and Sh1.5 million, respectively.
The half marathon winners will take home Sh150,000, with Sh80,000 and Sh50,000 awarded to the second and third finishers.
Meanwhile, Tuwei condemned the attack on Ugandan marathoner Rebecca Cheptegei, who was allegedly set on fire by a former boyfriend.
“We condemn this horrific act in the strongest terms. Our thoughts are with Rebecca and we are ready to support her and her family,” he said.
