If your social feeds look anything like mine right now, the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon is everywhere. Runners are posting race kit photos, sharing clips from bib collection, and documenting the months of training that got them here. Some are counting down to their very first race, while others are chasing personal bests they’ve worked toward for months.

Race week has an energy all its own. The training runs, the early starts, the shoes, the endless talk about pace and distance, it all becomes part of the build-up. And for many runners, preparing for race day also means paying more attention to fitness, sleep, and recovery.

If you happen to own a Samsung Galaxy Watch9, there are a features that might change the way you see your smartwatch. Beyond step counts and workout logs, the watch packs tools designed to help you make sense of your running routine and daily activity. Here are five worth trying as Nairobi gears up for marathon Sunday.

1. It can help you train for your next running goal
Not everyone lining up at Uhuru Gardens this Sunday shares the same ambition. For some, it’s about finishing a first race; for others, it’s about beating a previous time. Either way, a structured plan makes the journey easier to manage. The Galaxy Watch9’s Running Coach evaluates your running ability and builds a personalised training programme around your fitness level. Guided sessions keep you moving toward your target, whether that’s building endurance or sharpening your pace And even if you’re sitting this weekend out, it’s a handy tool for planning your next race.

2. Your Energy Score offers a new way to read your day
Anyone who has tried squeezing a run into a packed work schedule knows some mornings just feel harder than others. You can sleep for hours and still wake up running on empty. The Galaxy Watch9’s Energy Score draws on recent sleep, activity, and overnight heart rate data to give you an idea of your daily readiness. It’s another lens through which to view your routines and understand how activity and rest patterns might be shaping your day. For those juggling training with work and other commitments, that context can be genuinely useful.

3. Distance is only part of the story
When race day approaches, it’s tempting to fixate on mileage. You finish a run, check your time, and move on to the next session. But what happens when several workouts stack up across a week? The Galaxy Watch9’s Daily Cardio Load sheds light on your recent physical activity and training intensity. Looking at these patterns over time can help you see how your activity levels shift and make smarter calls about your routine. For runners, that’s especially valuable when long runs sit alongside gym sessions or other exercise.

4. It reveals more about your sleep than you might think
Early training sessions and busy days can throw sleep off balance quickly, yet it’s often the first thing people neglect when building a fitness routine. The Galaxy Watch9 monitors sleep patterns and stages, and Sleep Coaching uses that data to offer personalised guidance on improving your habits. Reviewing your sleep over time can highlight routines worth revisiting, like inconsistent bedtimes or shifts in how long you sleep. It’s one more way to stay aware of the habits shaping your everyday wellbeing.

5. Your fitness journey doesn’t have to mirror anyone else’s
Social media can be a powerful motivator during marathon season. You watch someone clock a long run, set a new personal best, or share their progress and suddenly you feel the urge to push harder too. But fitness goals are personal. For one person, progress means running faster. For another, it’s about walking more consistently or simply carving out time to exercise each week.

The Galaxy Watch9 lets you track workouts, monitor heart rate, and review activity data through Samsung Health. Those records help you follow your own progress over time and build a clearer picture of your activity habits.

As Nairobi counts down to race day

Race day is nearly here, and runners across Nairobi are preparing to put months of training to the test. For some, the goal is a personal best. For others, simply crossing the finish line will be a milestone worth celebrating. Whatever brings people to the starting line, the marathon is a chance to celebrate movement, progress, and the many ways people weave fitness into their lives.

At the event, Samsung will showcase the Galaxy Watch9 at its experience zones in Foodie Street and the Sponsor Village. Visitors can explore its fitness and wellness features and see how the technology can help them track activity, understand their routines, and stay connected to their goals.