It’s great to run for yourself, but even greater to run for something more than yourself.
The most powerful runs are the ones we run for others. For the world. For a good cause. And with Kenya being world-renowned for consistently winning running races, it’s only fitting to support valuable causes through running. Therefore, here are 8 trail running events in Kenya to add to your bucket list.
- Wangari Maathai Marathon
Formed by the Wangari Maathai Foundation, The Wangari Maathai Marathon will officially launch on 3rd March 2024 at 6.00 am in Karura Forest, Nairobi, via Gate A (Limuru Road Gate). The cause of the run is to honor the legacy of the late professor Wangari Maathai, who won a Nobel Peace Prize in 2004 for her massive contribution towards environmental sustainability and human rights.
The run also aims to promote the concept of the Power of One, that every one of us can make a difference.
- The Race Categories are a 2km children’s race at 7.30 am, a 5km fun run at 7.15 am, 10km at 7.00 am, 21km at 6.45 am, and a warm-up at 6.30 am.
- Cost: KES 2,000 per person
Visit this site to register.
2. Lukenya University Marathon
Also known as the One Million Trees Marathon, The Lukenya University Marathon debuted in 2023. It is organised yearly by the university to allow locals and runners to support its initiative to plant ten million tree seedlings( in Kibwezi East Constituency) in the next five years for a greener, healthier future.
This year, the management has included a mountain bike (MTB) race for diversity, which the university hopes will grow into a stand-alone event.
- MTB Race Date: 23rd March 2024
- Race Categories: 42km (Senior race), 15km (Junior race) and a Black Mamba Local race
- Location: Lukenya Univesity, Mtito Andei
- Marathon Date: 24th March 2024
- Race Categories: 42km, 21km, 10km, 5km
- Note: Medals will be issued after the race
Check this site for more updates and registration. Or call 0798711 711/ 0790444 000
3. Amazing Maasai Marathon
Organised by the Amazing Maasai Girls Project (AMGP) since 2011, The Amazing Maasai Marathon’s objective has been to raise funds to send Maasai girls to high school. In the first year, with 100 locals and 18 international runners, the run gathered $19000, equivalent to KES 3.0 million, which helped pay for scholarships for Maasai girls.
This year, the marathon is scheduled for 3rd August 2024, and the race categories are 10km, 21km, and 42km.
Please visit this site to learn more and register.
4. The Ultramarathon
Launched in 2020, the ultramarathon is a 50km single-day run through several Maasai mara conservancies. You can run the 50km distance alone or as a relay team.
The purpose of this trail race is to raise awareness of the challenges of conserving and managing the Mara ecosystem and to hopefully raise funds to support regional initiatives ( Elephant Project, Rangers Support Project, Women’s Health and Birth Center, etc.) that promote wildlife, the environment, and local community development.
- Location: Maasai Mara, Narok, Nothern Kenya
- Date: 23rd November 2024
- Run/Race Category: 50km
- Time: 06.30 am
Visit this site for registration.
5. Friends of Karura Anniversary Run
The Friends of Karura Forest (FKF) anniversary run began in 2019 to celebrate the vital conservation efforts of the Kenya Forest Service in partnership with the Friends of Karura Forest Community Association.
Karura Forest was gazetted in 1932 and has become Nairobi’s most beautiful and famous forest. This annual run also aims to encourage inclusivity and a sense of community.
- This year, the run will be on 29th September 2024
- At Karura Forest, Nairobi.
- Race categories are 2km, 5km, 10km, and 21km.
The time for the run and the registration link are yet to be confirmed.
Related: A Complete Guide to Running in Karura Forest, Nairobi
6. Lewa Safari Marathon
Starting in 2000, the Lewa Safari Marathon has raised £8 million, equivalent to $ 8.6 million and KES 1.4 billion, which has helped fund projects protecting endangered species like the black rhino and grevy zebra from extinction and support the local communities living alongside wildlife.
The Lewa marathon takes place each year in Meru County, Nothern Kenya, on the dirt trails of the Lewa Conservancy.
- Marathon Date: 29th June 2024.
- Race Categories: 21km, 42km
- Location: Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Meru, Northern Kenya
Official registration Links: Kenyan Participants
7. The Iten Epic Trail Run
The Iten epic is an adventure run in various carefully selected trails in Iten, the home of champions. The run will cover 100km in 5 days (20km each day), starting on 25 March and ending on 29 March 2024.
Since this running event is a partnership between The Republic of Trail Running, Camp Kenya, and The Iten Accommodation and Training Complex, the run will start and finish every day at The Hub, one of Iten’s accommodation facilities.
The run aims to foster the spirit of running and allow beginners and elite runners to challenge their fitness levels on the hilly terrains of Iten, considered the Mecca of running.
Follow this official link to read more and register.
8. Kimbia Kenya
Born in 2012, Kimbia Kenya started from a strong desire to discover Kenya. It allows the participants to adventure the Kenyan trails and meet and interact with the local community.
This year, the run will take place in Naivasha in the Rift Valley region, Nakuru County, on 15th February 2024, with two race categories. 50km, the only one accessible by race or on foot, is divided into five stages, 10km long, and 100km, divided into five stages 20km long. Some of the trails will take you across schools and markets for an opportunity to interact with the Locals and children.
Unfortunately, registration for the 2024 run is complete and closed.
The 2025 adventure run will take place in February or March and will be limited to 48 participants. If you wish to get a notification on when the registrations for 2025 will open, tap on this link and leave your email address.
Did I miss anything? Which other trail running events supporting a good cause have you attended that I’ve not listed above? Which one on this post is next on your bucket list? Let me know by leaving a comment below right now.
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One Comment
An excellent way to describe these runs. Your writing style is amazing! I can now run more and for a cause😊. Thank you for putting them together. See you at the Amazing Maasai Marathon and Ultramarathon!