Author: Bond

First of all, a huge congratulations to all Swaras who ran in both the Kilimanjaro Marathon and the Tokyo Marathon over the weekend. A special congratulations to Swara Ruth Macharia for her ninth place success in the full marathon at Kilimanjaro.

This Saturday’s run will be at the Spring Valley Oven restaurant on Lower Kabete Road.

Location

Google Maps pin here.

Distances

10, 15, 20 & 25km.

Breakfast & facilities

Breakfast is available at the venue, but not mandatory. Parking fees are charged at 50/- per vehicle and are payable to the club treasurer on arrival.

Timings

The run will be flagged off at 0700. Please allow time to register before the run begins.

Confirmations

Confirmations are not required.

As this weekend is the Kilimanjaro Marathon, Saturday’s run will be an informal run at Karura Forest, meeting at the Limuru Road gate (Google Maps pin here) and composing your own run made up of the marked routes, or if you know the forest trails well, making your own route. The meeting time is 0700, and there will be no breakfast. Normal forest entry fees apply (list of fees available here).

For those of us who are going to Kilimanjaro, good luck and see you there.

Also note that our new club T-shirts and singlets are now available. They are on sale at 2,000/-, and now proudly feature the Kenyan flag along with our club logo on the front. Speak to the club treasurer to get yours. They come in male and female fits, sizes from S to XXL.

Saturday’s run will take place at Adams Arcade shopping centre, Ngong Road, Nairobi.

Location

We will meet at the shopping centre car park, located behind the Total petrol station. This is on the left hand side on Ngong Road, as you’re heading towards Ngong town. Google Maps pin here.

Distances

10, 15, 20 & 25km.

Breakfast and facilities

The parking is charged at 50/- for the first three hours. Breakfast is optional and can be taken at Java House.

Timings

The run will be flagged off at 0700. Please allow time to register before the run begins.

Confirmations

Confirmations are not required.

This Saturday’s run is the 8th Annual Graceland Upcountry Run, at Graceland Girls School in Nyeri.

Location

Google Maps pin here.

Distances

15, 25 & 45km.

Route description

The organisers describe the 15km route as the Ranges Route, and the 25km route as the Mountain Route. The 45km will be a surprise.

Registration

This run is a charity event, and participants must register. Registration is 1,000/- and is payable by M-Pesa to 0721 752736. It is payable on the morning of the race.

Timings

The 45km race starts at 0700. The 15 and 25km races start at 0830.

Confirmations

Confirmations are not required.

Alternative run

If you can’t make it to Graceland, feel free to meet at Karura Forest at 0700 and follow the 5km (yellow), 10km (blue) or 15km (green) routes. This will be an unsupported social run. Have fun!

Saturday’s run will take place the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) in Muguga.

Location

Using Waiyaki Way / Nairobi-Nakuru highway, head north-west past Westlands, Kangemi, Kinoo and Kikuyu, until Sigona Golf Club (look out for a giant golf ball on your left). Not long after this the highway will curve left, and there will be an exit. Take the exit, crossing a railway and passing Nderi market. You’ll come to KEFRI on your left.

Google Maps pin here.

Distances

10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 & 40km.

Route description

100% trail.

Breakfast & facilities

Breakfast and facilities will be 400/- per person. Note that this is mandatory as it covers parking, security and use of the venue (but you also get breakfast).

Timings

The run will be flagged off at 0700. Please allow time to register before the run begins.

Confirmations

Confirmations are required to the club coordinator by Thursday at 1400.

Saturday’s run will be from Nanyorri Hotel, Olepolos, along Magadi Road.

Location

You can either get to the venue from Ngong Town, or Kiserian.

If coming from Kiserian, head towards Corner Baridi and drive past it in the direction of Kisamis. Nanyorri Hotel is approximately 2km before Olepolos Hotel, meaning that if you get to Olepolos Hotel you’ve driven too far.

If coming from Ngong go towards Kiserian and take the Right at the Ngong/Magadi road junction (Kiserian Town) and continue towards corner Baridi then as above.

It is approximately 45km from Nairobi city centre.

Google maps pin here.

Distances

10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 & 40km.

Route description

100% Trail. It will be hot, dry and windy.

Breakfast & facilities

Breakfast is available at 200/-, but is not mandatory.

Timings

The run will be flagged off at 0700. Please allow time to register before the run begins.

Confirmations

Confirmations are not required.

Saturday’s run will be from The Forest in Kiambu.

Location

From Nairobi head north on the A104 towards Naivasha. You’ll pass Kikuyu, Limuru and Uplands, before coming upon Kimende. Look out for a Total petrol station on your left just before Kimende, at which point you’ll turn left off the highway, then right and pass underneath the highway. From here The Forest is signposted.

Google Maps pin here.

Distances

10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 & 40km.

Route description

Forest trail.

Breakfast & facilities

Entry to The Forest is 300/- per person to be paid by M-Pesa upon entry. Breakfast is available at the venue at extra cost.

Timings

The run will be flagged off at the later than normal time of 0730. Please allow time to register before the run begins.

Confirmations

Confirmations are not required.

Saturday’s run will be from Ngong County Offices which are located opposite the Ngong police station.

Location

Follow Ngong Road out of Nairobi towards Ngong Town. Once at the T junction in Ngong Town, take a right turn and carry on up the hill, ignoring the immediate first right turn at the mini roundabout. Proceed along the road as it bends to the left. The venue will be on the left.

Google Maps pin here.

Distances

10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35km.

Route description

Mostly trail.

Breakfast & facilities

Those coming by car will be required to pay a parking fee of 100/- per vehicle. There is no facility for breakfast at the venue.

Timings

The run will be flagged off at 0700. Please allow time to register before the run begins.

Confirmations

Confirmations are not required.

Saturday’s run will be at Legends Restaurant in Karen which is located along Ngong Road.

Location

From Nairobi follow Ngong Road past Dagoretti Corner, Lenana School, the Shell petrol station in Karen, Dari Restaurant, then look out for Legends Restaurant on the right.

If coming from Karen it is 200m on the left after Karen Shopping Centre.

Google Maps pin here.

Distances
10, 15, 20, 25 & 30km.

Terrain
Trail & tarmac.

Breakfast & facilities
Breakfast and facilities cost will be 450/- per person.

Timings
The run will be flagged off at 0700. Please allow time to register before the run begins.

Confirmations
Confirmations are required to the club coordinator by Thursday at 1400.

As is the tradition for the first run of the year, this Saturday’s run will be at Nairobi Arboretum, off State House Road.

Location

Google Maps pin here.

Distances

10, 15, & 20km.

Breakfast & facilities

Those coming by car will be required to pay a parking fee according to the tariff at the venue, payable by M-Pesa. Breakfast will be available the café in the car park and is optional.

Timings

The run will be flagged off at 0700. Please allow time to register before the run begins.

Confirmations

Confirmations are not required.