Wilson Bii Shines at Nairobi City Marathon: A New Chapter for Paralympic Icon

By Robert Kibet

The 2025 Nairobi City Marathon wasn’t just a showcase of elite speed — it was also a celebration of the human spirit. Among the thousands who took on the challenge of the Expressway was Wilson Bii, a visually impaired Paralympian who completed his first-ever road race in a remarkable time of 1:07:50 over the half-marathon distance.

For the 38-year-old bronze medalist from the Rio 2016 Paralympics, this wasn’t just another race — it marked a powerful new chapter in a running journey born from tragedy, shaped by resilience, and driven by purpose.

“I had good sight until 2002,” Bii shared. “But after a road accident, my glasses shattered, and I lost my vision. Life changed. But I never gave up,  I chose to run.”

Bii, previously known for his track performances, trained rigorously for this road debut. With his trusted guide Job Kiprono by his side, he tackled Nairobi’s hilly Expressway with determination and grace.

“This was my first road race,” Bii said. “I’ve raced for years on the track, but I wanted to challenge myself. The road gives me new strength, a new purpose.”

He trains under the Kenya Athletics Training Academy (KATA) in Sirikwa, Kuresoi North — a camp supported by American running icon Bob Anderson, the founder of Runner’s World magazine. Anderson, who has spent decades uplifting grassroots running worldwide, proudly tracks his progress too — he boasts a personal best of 1:19:17 in the half marathon, set at age 66.

KATA currently supports 21 high-altitude training camps across Kenya, providing resources, coaching, and opportunities to underserved athletes, including para-athletes like Bii.

With guidance from Kiprono and encouragement from KATA, Bii now has his eyes set on qualifying for the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships in India. Having missed previous global events due to a lack of inclusion, he and his team are calling on Athletics Kenya and the National Paralympic Committee to recognize the upcoming Belgut Road Race (July 24) as an official qualifier for para-athletes.

“We just want a fair chance to qualify through performance,” said Kiprono. “Wilson has shown what’s possible. He deserves the opportunity.”

Bii drew inspiration from fellow visually impaired marathoner Henry Wanyoike and now hopes his story motivates others who’ve faced hardship to find healing through sport.

At this year’s Nairobi City Marathon, Wilson Bii didn’t just finish a race — he redefined what endurance truly means. His run was a victory for inclusion, courage, and the spirit of never giving up.

As Nairobi continues to rise as a world-class running city, stories like Bii’s ensure that the event isn’t just about who finishes first, but about who dares to begin.