BY PILLIP ORWA
Jubilee Group and the Grand Nairobi Bike Race (GNBR) have officially launched the sixth edition of the Jubilee Live Free Race, reaffirming their commitment to promoting wellness, inclusion, sustainable mobility, and community impact through one of East Africa’s fastest-growing cycling events.
The 2026 edition, scheduled for Sunday, September 27, at Uhuru Gardens, is expected to attract over 5,500 participants, up from 3,387 last year, highlighting a significant surge in interest from cycling clubs, corporate teams, recreational riders, and first-time participants.
This year’s race will introduce a redesigned race route along the Southern Bypass and a new race format for the main 72km category, reducing the number of loops to a two-lap course. The change is expected to deliver a more seamless and competitive riding experience compared to previous editions, where multiple loops were required to complete the distance.
Backed by a Sh25 million sponsorship from Jubilee Group, up from Sh20 million last year, the event continues to grow in scale while reinforcing its focus on wellness, inclusion, and sustainable mobility.
“We have witnessed the evolution of the Jubilee Live Free Race into a powerful movement that promotes cycling and community engagement across East Africa,” said Caroline Ndungu, Group Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications at Jubilee Insurance.
“As a brand committed to promoting inclusivity, wellness, and financial security, this partnership allows us to bring that purpose to life in a very tangible way. This year’s edition will be even more exciting, deepening cycling camaraderie while creating meaningful conversations around investment, healthy living, and overall wellbeing,” she added.
The race will feature multiple categories, including a 72km Main Race and Team Race, a 36km Para-Cycling and Black Mamba category, a 20km Family Fun Ride, and a 2km Kiddies Race, allowing participation across different genders, age groups, and ability levels.
In addition to the inclusive race categories, participants will enjoy enhanced rider safety and end-to-end on-course support, including medical response teams, mobile bike repair units, hydration points, and full-route marshalling, complemented by coordinated traffic management throughout the event.
Each registered participant will also receive outpatient medical cover for race-related injuries as part of the entry package, funded through a Sh50 allocation from the registration fee, with dedicated medical support available throughout the event.
A total prize pool of Sh4 million will be awarded to winners across competitive categories, reinforcing the event’s position as one of the most anticipated fixtures on the cycling calendar for both elite and recreational cyclists.
“The future of cycling in Kenya is incredibly exciting. What we are seeing today is the foundation of a movement that can transform how people think about sport, wellness and mobility,” said Grand Nairobi Bike Race Director Desmond Momanyi. “Cycling is becoming part of how people live, commute and connect. The Jubilee Live Free Race continues to provide a platform that reflects that evolution.”
Beyond race day, the platform continues to promote physical mobility through the provision of prosthetic limbs for children with amputations, environmental stewardship through food tower initiatives in community schools, and physical and financial wellness through accessible health and investment solutions that support healthier, more secure communities.
Registration is now open, with expected strong early uptake as anticipation builds towards what is set to be the largest edition of the race to date.
