Mt. Kenya ½ Marathon, Mountain run, endurance run, high altitude run, running academy, talent scouting, healthy routine, sports tourism, running clinic
The full mountain and half marathons were first held in 1968 and continue to date. We are introducing the first-ever mountain half marathon in Kenya. This will be held on Mt. Kenya, at the Chogoria forest gate, which is 2,600m above sea level, and at Banda’s lodge, which is 2,950m above sea level. The trail will cover the muramed forest road, gaining an elevation of up to 400m. This is a fantastic way to appreciate nature’s wild surroundings whilst keeping fit and fans entertained. The focus of the race is to experience the burn of high elevation, the soothing fresh aura and the striking colours of the mountain environment. This is dubbed “WILD, WILD DREAMS.”
Vision:
Improving livelihood through sports in the community.
Mission:
To develop youth talent in sports and academies
To liaise with local and international athletic bodies to establish a mountain-running hub.
Goals:
1. Provision of mountain firefighting equipment.
2. Impact on communities through interaction with the communities
3. A tool for cohesion
4. A platform for community mobilisation
5. Drive conservation agenda to the locals
6. Drum up for sustainable use of natural resources.
7. Saving the forests by introducing and encouraging communities to use biogas instead of firewood and charcoal
8. Drum up the use of Biogas in every home
9. Increasing awareness of sports tourism activities.
10. Providing increased opportunities for employment in the region through various initiatives in sports.
11. Help to identify and develop sports talent for the competitive sporting discipline of running.
12. Creating interest in sports and discovering talents in the locality
13. Engage the youths against irresponsible habits and behaviours
14. Creating sports tourism in the area, and eventually establishing a “world-class” high-altitude-running academy.
15. Boost the economy in the locality.
16. Sensitization for saving the endangered Mountain Bongo.
Runners route.
The Mt. Kenya ½ Marathon will feature seasoned runners and amateurs participating in the Altitude run of 21km to culminate at the Mt. Kenya Bandas Lodge, 2900m above sea level.
There will also be a corporate team category. Each team is allowed a maximum of 10 participants (running); however, an organisation can register several teams for the challenge(s).
Teams will undergo pre-training under the terms of mountain running to prepare them for the event.
The starting point – Chogoria Forest Gate
Finishing point – Mt. Kenya Bandas
Partners.
We will have the opportunity to work with:
- Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS)
- Kenya Forest Service (KFS)
- Athletic Kenya {AK}
- Tharaka-Nithi County government, among others
- We are looking forward to having more partners and sponsors.
Sustainability.
To build a strong community partnership, the Mt. Kenya ½ Marathon, Mara Expeditions, is working with other professional organisations Athletics Kenya, AK, to develop young talent in athletics. Additionally, Mt Kenya ½ Marathon will be offering short-term assignments on event days to local young people and promoting business in the surrounding areas.
Conclusion.
The Mt. Kenya ½ Marathon will be the first high-altitude adventure run of its kind in Kenya and the region as a whole and will ultimately become a world-class event.
With the collaboration of Mara Expeditions and the calibre of athletic doyens at their disposal, the Mt. Kenya ½ Marathon will become one of the major events of the Kenya Sports Calendar year.
