Zachariah Kirika Shines at Nairobi City Marathon 2025

On a misty July morning in Nairobi, the 2025 Nairobi City Marathon bore witness to a remarkable breakthrough in Kenya’s distance running scene as Zachariah Kirika, a 24-year-old rising star from Muthara village in Murang’a County, stormed to a third-place finish in the fiercely contested 10km race.

Clocking just under 28 minutes, Kirika’s performance was more than a surprise—it was a symbol of untapped Kenyan talent nurtured by grassroots institutions like the Kenya Athletics Training Academy (KATA) in Thika. Unlike many of his peers who passed through elite systems, Kirika’s journey began in humble beginnings, shaped by a childhood of farm work and karate practice before pivoting to running.

His podium finish at one of Kenya’s premier road races has placed him firmly on the radar of athletics fans, coaches, and sponsors alike, marking him as a future contender in longer distances, including half marathons and marathons. Kirika’s story is a powerful reminder that Kenya’s next generation of running champions is emerging not from privilege but from perseverance, community support, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

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