AK Nairobi cross country race set to celebrate Mazingira Day
.jpg)
.png)
Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 10.09.25. | 21:09
By combining environmental conservation, community health, education and now the sport of running, the team aims to make an impact at community level through athletics
Athletics Kenya (AK) Nairobi County and a local community-based organisation, Roysambu United, will mark Mazingira Day, on Friday, 10 October, with an open cross country race at Kasarani Stadium where 5000 tree seedlings will be planted as they raise education funds for needy pupils.
Solely organised by women led by Dr Faith Mwaura, the chairperson of Roysambu United, the meet is the first cross country ever to be held outside of AK organised calendar of events in Nairobi.
Follow our WhatsApp channel for more news
By combining environmental conservation, community health, education and now the sport of running, the team aims to make an impact at community level through athletics.
Mwaura said they have now adopted athletics in their Miti Millioni campaign to plant trees and raise education funds for needy youth in Roysambu area and create a healthy lifestyle through running.
The race at Kasarani Stadium targets 5000 participants including elite athletes, old and young runners at village level in Roysambu, Githurai and Kasarani areas.
AK has welcomed this open race and described this initiative as a health low risk competition open to all age groups as a mass participation event compared to road running.
The federation vice president and director of competition Paul Mutwii said it was encouraging to see women come up with the idea of hosting a cross country race in Nairobi, the first in decades when everybody else is reaching out to the federation for permits to organise road races.
"Cross country running is a low risk area of competition healthwise and is good to all ages compared to road running which is not good for the young and old people who are subjected to pounding hard surfaces with weak limbs," said Mutwii at Riadha House during the launch.
"It is encouraging to see that we have people, and especially women who are willing to come out and join us in athletics development at the grass root level," added Mutwii.
Mwaura said they came up with the idea of the cross country to promote the organisation's outreach programme in Roysambu area and settled for the race at Kasarani Stadium as a catchment area for tapping young runners and encouraging senior members of the community.
"The purpose of the Cross Country is to raise funds for our key pillars and make an impactful contribution to our community through various monthly engagements tailored for local youth, women's groups, and public schools within the Roysambu area," said Mwaura who is also a director of the Kenya Development Corporation.
.jpg)
.jpg)