How Kenyan athletics stars pumped billions into the economy

Beatrice Chebet and Faith Kipyegon celebrate after winning gold and silver medals in the 5000m final at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 2025 on September 20. [AFP] The country's athletics stars did not only chase glory and podium positions. From their exploits, they pumped billions into the Kenyan economy. Major global events in track, field and the roads earned athletes honours and a special place in history but in the process, they became richer. In 2025, they did not only ship in the bullions; their billions were felt in Kenya's economy. From the international championships to the Diamond Leagues, and to lucrative road races, athletes went beyond pride and medals, to grow their incomes this year. Kenyan superstars went for their share of millions. At the Diamond leagues, for instance, reports indicate that they bagged an average of Sh6 million in each of the 15 meetings including the two-day final in Zurich, meaning that the stars could have brought home an approximate Sh90 million from the series which concluded just days to the World Championships in September. "The total prize money awarded per meeting will be 500,000 USD at each of the 14 regular series meetings, and 2.24 million USD at the Wanda Diamond League Final," Diamond League reported before the 2025 season kicked off. Alongside coffee, tea and other agricultural produce (Sh219 billion) and tourism which was projected to earn the country Sh560 billion, athletics was a substantial foreign exchange earner for Kenya. Although several races did not disclose their prize money structures, a look at events' payouts indicated that Kenyan big shots were among the world's biggest prize money earners. From the World Championships alone, Kenya's athletics stars raked in billions. About Sh10 billion is estimated to have found its way into Kenya. Sh78 million was shipped in from the 2025 World Championships staged in Tokyo where athletics stars such as multiple record breakers Beatrice Chebet and Faith Kipyegon fattened their bank accounts with mouthwatering prize monies. Sharon Lokedi crosses the finish line during the 129th Boston Marathon on April 21, 2025, in Boston, Massachusetts. She got the highest prize in one race, winning Sh25 million. [AFP] The World Marathon Majors kicked off in Tokyo in March and Kenyans, although not as dominant as 2024, earned cash enough to invest for their retirement. Vincent Ngetich, who was third there in 2024 repeated the feat and added Sh2.2 million to his wealth. Titus Kipruto, Geoffrey Kipchumba and former winner Benson Kipruto, who finished fourth, sixth and seventh, won themselves Sh1.1 million, Sh0.5 million and Sh0.4 million respectively from the Tokyo Marathon race. The country's athletes also harvested lip-smacking amounts of cash at the Boston marathon won by Sharon Lokedi and Chicago Marathon winner John Korir, who in return collected a whopping Sh19 million for their victories. But Lokedi earned an additional Sh6.4 million for lowering the course record, while Hellen Obiri and Irine Cheptai bagged Sh9.6 million and Sh3.2 million respectively for finishing second and fourth respectively. And at the London Marathon, Sabastian Sawe proved two things; that he was the 2025 London Marathon champion and that his career was beginning to pay off. Sawe brought to Kenya Sh7.1 million while second-placed Alexander Mutiso added Sh2.7 million to the country's economy as former London Marathon champion Joyciline Jepkosgei won Sh3.7 million for her runner-up position. Kenya's Hellen Obiri celebrates winning the women's race at 2019 IAAF World Cross Country Championships - Aarhus, Denmark. [File, Reuters] At the final World Marathon Major of 2025 - the New York City Marathon where Kenyans swept the podiums in both categories, a total of Sh51.5 million was won by resilient Kenyans. The men's battalion was led by Olympic bronze medallist Benson Kipruto while the women's field was spearheaded by Boston Marathon winner Hellen Obiri. More than Sh25 million was won by Kenyans in Berlin, and Chicago, making them some of the biggest earners in the World Marathon Majors. Hundreds of road races ranging from the Mile to 21km and full marathons as well cross country events across the globe are reported to have yielded at least Sh10 billion according to unofficial reports. Even before the Diamond Leagues, World Marathon Majors and the World Championships, athletics stars had begun winning prizes. In January, for instance, Kenyan stars claimed more than Sh17 million from races that disclosed their prize money structures. At the Hong Kong Half Marathon on January 5, Patrick Mosin, who placed second place won Sh900,000 while compatriot Weldon Langat brought home Sh500,000 for his fourth place. Other athletes such as Luke Kiprop, who finished fifth reportedly did not come home empty-handed. Kenyan women led by Grace Loibach swept the podium in the same race and collected a cumulative Sh4.2 million. She was followed by Sheila Chelangat, Viola Chepngeno and Gladys Chepkurui in a 1-2-3-4 finish for Kenya. Kenya's Sabastian Sawe crosses the line to win the men's race at the 2025 London Marathon in central London on April 27, 2025. [AFP] Xiamen Marathon on January 5 saw Mercy Kwambai finish fourth in the women's race and she claimed Sh600,000 as Doha Marathon by Ooredoo on January 17 made more Kenyans richer. Ezra Tanui won the Doha Marathon and walked away with Sh353,000 while an athlete such as Shadrack Kimining finished third, but won Sh1.2 million at the Houston Marathon on January 19. While winning Tata Mumbai Marathon, Joyce Tele savoured glory in the women's race and earned Sh6.4 million as surprising talents such as Alfonse Kigen dictated the proceedings at Marrakech International Marathon on January 26 before walking away Sh1.9 million richer than when he took to the start line. Sevilla Marathon was run the same day in Spain and Vincent Nyamongo pocketed 2000 Euros (Sh300,000) when he won the men's race. And in February, as the world was getting ready for major races, the 2025 Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon offered another opportunity for Kenyan stars to shine. Alex Matata did not just cruise to victory; he bagged Sh2.5 million in the February 1 contest. Judy Kemboi and Jesca Chelangat secured Sh1.2 million and Sh700,000 respectively for their second and third place at the 2025 edition of Ras Al Khaimah half marathon. At the 2025 Kagawa Marugame International Half Marathon on February 2, London Marathon winner Alexander Mutiso Munyao and Emmanuel Maru finished first and second and took a cumulative Sh9.6 million while Delphine Omare, who claimed victory in the women's race bagged Sh6.4m. There was also the rich Daegu marathon in Korea the same month and Vivian Jerotich claimed Sh2.5 million for her fifth place. When Kenyan men ruled the roost and produced a 1-2-3 podium sweep at the Lagos Marathon, they brought to the country a total of Ksh10.9 million as Peris Jerono earned Sh1.9 million for her third place in the women's race. Another clean podium sweep at the Napoli City Half Marathon in February yielded money that came into the Kenyan economy. Emmanuel Wafula led Simon Maiywa and Edward Koonyo to a 1-2-3 and Sh273,000 richer as Sheila Cherotich managed Sh151,000 for winning the women's 42km. As 2025 neared a close, races such as Valencia Marathon increased riches. Kenyan athletes led by winners John Korir and Joyciline Jepkoegei bagged over Sh33 million in prize money at the race run earlier this month. Korir and Jepkosgei displayed super performances leading to the sturdy payouts, including an additional Sh4.5 million bonus for the winner of the women's race (Jepkosgei) for a new course record. IN SUMMARY: Highest winning prize in one race in 2025: Sh25 million won by Sharon Lokedi at Boston Marathon Highest cumulative prize money from a single race: Sh51 million won by Kenyan stars after clean podium sweeps at the New York City Marathon Approximate prize money won by athletes in 2025: Billions (amount not known but reports claim over Sh10 billion was harvested) At least Sh90 million were bagged by Kenyans at Diamond Leagues The World Championships yielded over Sh78 million

How Kenyan athletics stars pumped billions into the economy

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