Category: News

We did indeed go into 2020 with a bang, and a bit of a wiggle as well, as the video below shows! Let’s keep that momentum going, into this week’s run. Even those who got lost because they were going too fast and either beat the marks or were going too fast for them to be visible, keep at it!

This year is going to be LEGENDARY, I can just feel it. So get on down to Club Legend, Karen, for a run with a twist this Saturday 11th January…for the first time in living memory, the Swaras are offering a 5km trail! So bring along those friends who quiver at the thought of a 10km but have been meaning to get their running shoes on on a weekend morning. And there will also be a long of 30km to shake off the cobwebs after the holidays and get prepping for the Kilimanjaro marathon 2020! See this week’s Starting Line for full information on this week’s run.

Date: Saturday 11th January, 7am

Venue: Club Legend, Ngong Road, Karen

Distance: 5, 10,15, 20 and 30km.

Breakfast: Breakfast is 400ksh, payable to the treasurer in advance or on the day.

Google Maps link to the venue: https://goo.gl/maps/v8cN3caGR4DP68g88

Directions to the venue: Take Ngong Road all the way down to the entrance to Karen, and about 300m before the Karen roundabout you will see Club Legend on your right. You may have to go down to the roundabout and do a u-turn to access it.

Facilities: plenty of parking, and toilets on-site.

Registration: registration is required in advance, by Thursday 5pm, to allow for planning, so that everyone has breakfast after their run! You may pay for breakfast in advance, (M pesa to 0740912116) please indicate so in the registration form: https://forms.gle/66dHYCdpK7C51L1C6

Guests: As always, guest fees of 500ksh apply. Please share the following link with anyone interested in joining the club for the first time: http://urbanswaras.co.ke/new-members/

Check out this week’s Starting Line for a staggering line-up of news, and a video treat for your enjoyment! : https://sway.office.com/qDaFa40UWqYt9ei8?ref=Link

That’s a wrap folks! Another running year has come to an end and we can now start setting goals for 2020…2020km in 2020? A 20km PB for 2020? Learning how to run backwards? Running your first 15km? All dreams are valid, and we just hope you’re excited for all the adventures to come: Mount Kenya Ultra, Graceland Upcountry Run, charity runs, relays, out of town runs…you name it, we’ve got it. So 2020 will definitely be your best running year yet, and we can’t wait to get started! 

So to start us off with have run number 1 of 2020: Arboretum! As is tradition, we will run from Arboretum and start the year off with a bang. This is always a run with a BIG turnout so be sure to turn up early, and why not pay your annual subs upfront so that you can enjoy 52 runs without worrying about membership or payments??  More info below. Keep scrolling, and keep running!

Date: Saturday 4th January December, 7am

Venue: Arboretum, meet at the car park off State House Road.

Distance: 10,15, 20 and 25km. Mostly tarmac, with some trail.

Breakfast: Optional, to be taken at your leisure at any of the affordable kiosks around the car park, or at Charlie’s at Kasuku Centre! Parking fees of 50ksh per vehicle apply, payable by m-pesa.

Google Maps link to the venue: https://goo.gl/maps/RqwqH1R8KXPdHVTw6

Check out this week’s Starting Line for more info, a heads-up on next year’s membership and our member’s survey!

#HappyNewRunningYear

The Christmas run happened last week (don’t worry folks, you didn’t miss Christmas, just the Swara Christmas run)! The turnout was huge despite so many being away on holiday, or being too busy knocking back eggnog and nyama choma. Thanks to all who came and got into the festive spirit for the second to last run of the year.

Next week’s run will give the opportunity to combine Karura Forest trails like you never have before. Do the 10km and 5km? Do the 15km and the 10km backwards?? Up to you! Meeting place is at the car park on the Limuru Road entrance, (before you reach the payment gate). Look out for the yellow Swara t shirts, you can’t miss them. Bring cash/m-pesa as forest entry fees apply to all, with different rates for citizens (100ksh), residents (200ksh) and non-residents (600ksh) plus fees for cars if you take your vehicle in. Be aware that no single-use plastic bottles are allowed in the forest (hurrah!) so bring along a refillable bottle, and there will be an opportunity to fill it before you run. If you have a hydration pack, we advise you bring it, ready to hydrate yourself along the way. Link to this week’s Starting Line (the last of the year!) with full details of this week’s run: https://sway.office.com/s1MlzDnG4zoYPI5u?ref=Link

Date: Saturday 28th December, 7am

Venue: Karura Forest, Limuru Road entrance car park

Distance: unlimited! 5,10, and 15km trails within the forest, feel free to mix them up and combine them (you can also incorporate the Sigiria side).

Breakfast: Optional, to be taken at your leisure at the Java House down the road with your fellow Swaras.

Google Maps link to the venue: https://goo.gl/maps/R8Ey87jZ5mVY4on4A

Check out this week’s Starting Line here, and Happy Holidays to all of you!

#LastRunButNotLeast

Venue: Arboretum, meet at the car park off State House Road.

Distance: 10,15, and 20km. Mostly tarmac, with some trail.

Breakfast: Optional, to be taken at your leisure at any of the affordable kiosk around the car park. Parking fees of 50ksh per vehicle apply, payable by m-pesa.

Google Maps link to the venue: https://goo.gl/maps/RqwqH1R8KXPdHVTw6

Directions to the venue: The car park is at the end of Arboretum Drive. You need to get to State House Road, then if heading from town you turn right onto Arboretum Drive, and if heading towards town (from State House), turn left onto Arboretum Drive). Drive past the new Radison, then hit the dead-end, where you’ll find the car park with the kiosk to pay for parking.

Facilities: plenty of parking, and toilets on-site.

Registration: no registrationn necessary! Come one, come all, and bring a friend!

Guests: As always, guest fees of 500ksh apply. Please share the following link with anyone interested in joining the club for the first time: http://urbanswaras.co.ke/new-members/

Be sure to check out the second edition of the all-new Starting Line (Swara weekly news) here.

Date: Saturday 14th December

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

Venue: Ambo Gardens, on Serenity Road.

Distances: 10, 15, 20 & 25km.

Breakfast: 400ksh flat rate for members and guests, payable on arrival (or in advance via m pesa to 0740 912 116). Please bring correct change.

Google Maps link to the venue: https://goo.gl/maps/eTeWFoasSGB7WLee7

Directions to the venue: If coming from Waiyaki Way, takes James Gichuru down to Convent Lane, just before Gitanga Road. Turn right onto Convent Lane, then first left onto Serenity Road, and Ambo Gardens will be on your right. if coming from Ngong Road, take Kingara Road, cross the junction with Gitanga Road, then take a left onto Convent Road, then left onto Serenity Road and Ambo Gardens will be on your right.

Facilities: the venue has parking, but it is limited, so carpool where possible, and be prepared to manoeuvre into a tight spot! We advise getting there early to avoid delays. There are no showers at the venue. The venue has both indoor and outdoor spaces and you’re welcome to stay and chill after the run at your leisure.

Registration: register using this Google form here: https://forms.gle/M9Jhv53LZR8XNwuP6? by Thursday 2pm so that we can ensure there is breakfast for everyone 🙂

Guests: As always, guest fees of 500ksh, and breakfast fees apply. Please share the following link with anyone interested in joining the club for the first time: http:// urbanswaras.co.ke/new-members/

Be sure check out the all-new Starting Line (Swara weekly news) here. 

This week our run will be immediately followed by the club’s Annual General Meeting. This year we will be voting in the new committee and voting on changes to the constitution.

We also apologise for confusion over last week’s run location. There was a last minute change, and we regret that it wasn’t well communicated to all attendees.

Location

Google Maps pin here.

Distances

10, 15, 20 & 25km.

Route description

50% trail, 50% tarmac.

Breakfast & facilities

Breakfast and facilities will be catered for by theclub, on account of the AGM taking place.

Timings

The run will be flagged off at 0700. Please allow time to register before the run begins. The AGM will take place at 1100, following the run.

Confirmations

Confirmations are not required.

Notices

Always remember, we DO NOT LITTER because we want to keep the environments we run in clean for ourselves, local residents and the wildlife.

See our Calendar for details of this week’s Thursday Track Session.

This Saturday’s run will be the Kenya Agricultural & Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO), along Kaptagat Road, Loresho.

Location

Google Maps pin here.

Distances

10, 15, 20 & 25km.

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 by Thursday at 1400. Confirmations will be by way of advanced payment of the Breakfast & Facilities fee (400/-) paid by M-Pesa to Loise Mbarire (0740 912116) (members and non-members).

Notices

Always remember, we DO NOT LITTER because we want to keep the environments we run in clean for ourselves, local residents and the wildlife.

There is no Thursday Track Session this week.

For club members, the AGM is coming up on the 7th December 2019. Make sure you attend to review the year and vote in the new committee.

This Saturday’s run will be at Bowling Green Restaurant, City Park.

Location

City Park is off Limuru Road, opposite Aga Khan Hospital. Follow the road through the park looking out for the venue on the right hand side.

Google Maps pin here.

Distances

10, 15, 20 & 25km.

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 not required.

Notices

Always remember, we DO NOT LITTER because we want to keep the environments we run in clean for ourselves, local residents and the wildlife.

See our Calendar for details of this week’s Thursday Track Session.

For club members, the AGM is coming up on the 7th December 2019. Make sure you attend to review the year and vote in the new committee.

This Saturday’s run will be at Kuizine Food & Take Away Café on Getathuru Road.

Also, our bi-monthly club newsletter is out. This issue is focusing on marathon tourism. Read it online here. Back issues of our newsletter can be found on the Media page.

Location

Google Maps pin here.

Distances

10, 15, 20, 25, 30km.

Route description

99% trail.

Breakfast & facilities

Breakfast and facilities will be 250/- 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 not required.

Notices

Always remember, we DO NOT LITTER because we want to keep the environments we run in clean for ourselves, local residents and the wildlife.

See our Calendar for details of this week’s Thursday Track Session.

This Saturday’s run will be at Karura Forest. The run will take us around the forest, but also out of the grounds into the surrounding environs.

Location

Enter Karura Forest from the Limuru Road gate (entrance A) and pay the entrance fee at the gate. Then proceed by car or foot to the KFEET centre where we will meet.

Google Maps pin here.

Distances

10, 15, 20 & 25km.

Breakfast & facilities

Entrance fees apply. A normal car is 100/-, and each citizen is 100/-, resident 200/- and non-resident 600/-. Click here to see the full list of fees. Entry fees are payable by cash or M-Pesa, but not cash.

Breakfast is available but not mandatory from River Café within the forest, or Java House Gigiri.

Timings

The run will be flagged off at 0700. Please allow time to register before the run begins. Additional time should be factored in for paying the forest entry fees. There is often a queue.

Confirmations

Confirmations are not required.

Notices

Always remember, we DO NOT LITTER because we want to keep the environments we run in clean for ourselves, local residents and the wildlife.

See our Calendar for details of this week’s Thursday Track Session.