Dear Swaras, and the broader running community, both in Kenya and abroad,
We are delighted to announce the launch of registration for the much anticipated Mount Kenya Ultra Marathon 2023 – Mountain to Mountain. The slogan this year: ‘Feel The Power Of The Mountains Under Your Feet’. This year’s ultra is being organised by the Urban Swaras Running Club in conjunction with the County Government of Nyeri County, and the Mount Kenya Blazers. This is the Urban Swaras’ flagship recreational running event, and will have distances of 25, 50, and 80km. This event is open to both members and non-members, with a registration fee of 1,000ksh payable to Paybill number 400200, account number 40083440, business name Mountain to Mountain Ultra (Coop Bank).

DISTANCE/START TIME/VENUE

80km ….. 4am. Start ….Mt Kenya Naromoru Gate

50km ….6 am Start ….Springs BBQ Restaurant, Brookside Junction, Chaka Town

25km …. 8am start  ….. Golden Gate Hotel Nyahururu Rd

80km Bike race……… 8am Start ………… Mt Kenya Naromoru gate (To liaise with Njagi : 0722759515)

All Finish: Wandare Gate Aberdares, with reception and after party for all runners.

Run Village: Green wood Eco-lodge Nyahururu Rd, Kabiru-ini Forest
– Pick up to start points 1 hour before flag off
– Drop off from Finish Point to run village after run
– T shirt collection from Friday 22nd September, 2023 to morning of Race day, at race village
– Left luggage and parking, and information desk available at run village on race day

Accommodation and transport to be booked individually. More information to be shared on accommodation options.

In filling this form you confirm your attendance for the Mount Kenya Ultra Mountain to Mountain Run of Saturday 23rd September 2023. Form to be completed by Thursday 14th September 2023 (fill in one form for each person, and be sure to pay upon registering for your registration to count): https://forms.gle/siUAdcfjkYbeuNHZ7

Dear Swaras,

Our legs got ‘lusi’ at ‘Lusigetti’ this Saturday just gone, with a fantastic trail run in this area, which is also usually an area that the Naivasha Relay passes through (happening this October, don’t miss out)! Thanks to all who attended, the club wouldn’t be what it is today without every single one of you! See some photo highlights in the Starting Line: https://sway.office.com/gV6QfPWKZkBtRoWU?ref=Link

This week’s run – All Clubs Run, Kuche Kuche, Nyayo Stadium, Upper Hill

This week we are once again teaming up, but this time it’s with almost the entire Nairobi Running Club Fraternity, for an all clubs run from Kuche Kuche, Nyayo Stadium, Upper Hill. There will be distances of 5, 10, 15, and 21km, and there will be FREE breakfast sponsored by Run Beyond afterwards! Be sure to register and not miss out on this run. And as always, do not litter. Ever 🙂 See the Starting Line for full details and to register. Please note the slightly earlier start time of 6.30am: https://sway.office.com/gV6QfPWKZkBtRoWU?ref=Link

Upcoming runs

As you may have heard on the running grapevine, the Mount Kenya Ultra Marathon (Mountain to Mountain) is coming in just over two months, which will come sooner than we think! Registration will be opening this week, and this year it will be BIG! We are partnering with Nyeri County, and have got interest from running clubs outside of Kenya, and from many recreational runners. So be sure to book out your weekend of 23rd September for this unmissable run.

This Friday we have the Launch Dinner for the Mt Kenya Ultra, from 6pm at Chaka Ranch. If you would like to attend, please confirm to clairesimonebaker@gmail.com / Whatsapp +33615209676 by Wednesday 26th July.

Registration is already open for the Standard Chartered Nairobi, happening on Sunday 29th October, and you can register using the exclusive Swara link here: https://secure.onreg.com/onreg2/front/step1.php?id=6078&agentonly=true&login=true&userid=108667&noback=true

#AllTogetherNow

Lucky we chose a venue with big parking! Our joint run with Run Fit Club was extremely well attended, and we were also delighted to welcome a number of new members and guests, you’re all so welcome to the Swaras! This was a great chance to mingle with other recreational runners, and also enjoy a birthday cake courtesy of Run Fit (for those who stayed long enough). Well done to all who ran, especially those who conquered the 40km and 50km, which we don’t often have. See some photo highlights in the Starting Line: https://sway.office.com/qweNIc69e1NrEtTn?ref=Link

This week’s run – Honeywell Resort, Lusigetti/Nachu

This week we are heading back to the true trail, the rugged land we prosper on! We will be in Lusigetti, from Honeywell Resort. Distances will be up to 30km – as usual, please be aware that distances are approximate, and may sometimes vary slightly from the announced distances. Also don’t forget to bring your reusable botte/hydration pack, especially if doing the longer distances. And as always, do not litter. Ever. 🙂 See the Starting Line for full details and to register: https://sway.office.com/qweNIc69e1NrEtTn?ref=Link

Upcoming runs

As you may have heard on the running grapevine, the Mount Kenya Ultra Marathon (Mountain to Mountain) is coming in just over two months, which will come sooner than we think! Registration will be opening soon, and this year it will be BIG! We are partnering with Nyeri County, and have got interest from running clubs outside of Kenya, and from many recreational runners. So be sure to book out your weekend of 23rd September for this unmissable run.

Registration is already open for the Standard Chartered Nairobi, happening on Sunday 29th October, and you can register using the exclusive Swara link here: https://secure.onreg.com/onreg2/front/step1.php?id=6078&agentonly=true&login=true&userid=108667&noback=true

#HoneyWellRunWell

Dear Swaras,

Our usual Starting Line system (Sway) has some runner wear and tear and has been ordered to rest for a while, so we will have to make do with just a traditional email and messages for this week I’m afraid. 🙂

Last week we were at ACK St Paul’s in Kiambu, and rumour has it that the afterparty was ALMOST as good as the run (if not better). Thanks to all who came for the beautiful trail run, and all who shifted venues for the afterparty/social afterwards, we had a blast!

This week’s run – Radix Hotel, Langata, joint run with Run Fit!

This week we are teaming up with fellow running club, Run Fit, and running together from Radix Hotel, Langata. See info below and register before 5pm Thursday! You can register with either club, but guests will pay the guest fees of the club they register through.

Date: Saturday 15th July, flagging off 7am (though we advise those wishing to do 40km or 50km to start at the earlier time of 5am or 6am, when RunFit will be flagging off). Cut-off time (past which we cannot guarantee any club presence at the venue): 12pm.

Venue: Radix Hotel, Langata

Directions: Radix Hotel is on Langata Road, opposite The Well shopping centre. If coming from town, join Langata Road and continue straight past Galleria, and then just after The Well on your right, you will see the sign for Radix on your left.

Distance: There will be marked routes of 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, and 50km. Please note,
distances are approximate.

Run type: The route will be majority tarmac, with some urban trail

Breakfast: Breakfast will be available at the negotiated rate of 650ksh, payable directly to the hotel.

Google Maps link to the venue: https://goo.gl/maps/CCZrEDcAiQqnsMmE6

Registration: Please register using the link below before Thursday 5pm. This allows us
to plan the run properly so all can enjoy their run and breakfast after the run. Many
thanks! https://forms.gle/m5fNWB6jqWwmSdos7

Subs: Be sure to come with your M-Pesa topped up to make payment for your subs. Ensure you’re up to date to avoid being charged as a guest!

Guests: As always, guest fees of 600ksh apply. Please share the following link with
anyone interested in joining the club for the first time: http://urbanswaras.co.ke/new-
members/

#LetsGetTogether

It was a cold and brisk run with a warm and welcoming vibe in Ngong, from Berra Lounge, with special guest Caroline, from LifeBloom International. Allow me to share a big THANK YOU from them to all the generous Swaras who donated to support their work in Nakuru County (and also as of recently, Narok County, we found out on Saturday)! If you want to find out more, or support their work in the long-term, reach out to me (clairesimonebaker@gmail.com) or find them at https://lifebloomservices.org/. You can also make a donation at any point: Paybill 530 500, account name ‘donation’. See some photo highlights in the Starting Line: https://sway.office.com/k4TJ5RFKDcKmUGqK?ref=Link

Well done to all who ran the Nairobi Expressway Marathon this weekend, Swara colours were on full display across the Nairobi skyline, and there were plenty of PBs and cheers to be heard along the way.

This week’s run – ACK St Paul’s Kiambu

This week we’re running from ACK St Paul’s Church, Kiambu. This is such a beautiful area to run in, with gentle hills, cool breezes, and fantastic trails. Find full details of the run in the Starting Line, and register by Thursday! There will be distances from 10km to 30km, and it will be majority trail. Link to Starting Line to register: https://sway.office.com/k4TJ5RFKDcKmUGqK?ref=Link

#CoolDown

Dear Swaras, 

We had a great run in the Mua Hills, Machakos. If you like your runs cool and cloudy, this was perfect running weather, and once again, for the second time in a month, some wildlife was spotted (real wildlife)!! We also had Swaras at Lewa and at the Old Moses Classic Run, with the Nyeri Blazers. Wherever you were, I hope you ran and lived to the fullest, because as our slogan says, running is living! See some photo highlights in the Starting Line: https://sway.office.com/PlbezdPqmSImBLcJ?ref=Link

This week’s run – Charity Run for LifeBloom, from Berra Hotel, Ngong

This week we’re running from Berra Hotel, Ngong, which is always a very welcoming place to runners, and is a great starting point for some amazing trails. And to make it even more special, it will be a Swara charity run! We are supporting LifeBloom Services International, a Kenyan nonprofit based in Nakuru County, supporting women and children who have been coerced, abused or trafficked. They provide counselling services, income generation support, sanitary pads distribution, and linkages to essential services. Since 2004 they have supported more than 10,000 individual women and given them back control and hope in their lives. Distances from 5km to 30km, majority trail. Registration is FREE for this run, but donations to support LifeBloom are encouraged. See the Starting Line for more details and to register, and/or donate. Paybill 530 500, account name ‘donation’. Link to Starting Line: https://sway.office.com/PlbezdPqmSImBLcJ?ref=Link

#RunForLifebloom

Thank you and well done to the many runners who joined us for the brand new route and venue, at Ole Akhalai Resort in Kimuka! Those who were there were treated to spectacular views of the hills, some giraffe spotting, and dry river bed crossings, amongst many other moments of beauty and running community. See some photo highlights and a cheeky write-up by Anthony Kiai in the Starting Line: https://sway.office.com/r1zIRal2HVXSh0wL?ref=Link

This week’s run – Riziki Hotel, Mua Hills, Machakos

This week we’re running from Riziki Hotel, at Mua Radar Centre, Mua Hills, Machakos. This is a majority trail run and will not disappoint those who want some fresh air, some hills, and some new routes! See the Starting Line for more details and to register: https://sway.office.com/r1zIRal2HVXSh0wL?ref=Link

#MuaHaHa

More than one of you was surprised at how beautiful a run we had this Saturday from Ololua Forest! That’ll teach you to doubt our Trail Fox’s prowess for sniffing out trails wherever we may be 🙂 Well done to all, a number of you braved the longest distances! Also a huge congratulations to the Swaras who were in South Africa for the Comrades Marathon, an 88km slog with thousands of international runners amidst a strong ambiance of camaraderie. See some photo highlights in the Starting Line: https://sway.office.com/qLxWamuPDMQ4Zv8o?ref=Link

This week’s run – Ole Akhalai Resort, Kimuka – new run!

This week we’re heading to a brand new venue, so snooze, and you’ll lose (out). The venue is Ole Akhalai Resort, in Kimuka (on the Ngong-Suswa road). This will be majority trail, and will have distances up to 30km. See the Starting Line for full details and to register: https://sway.office.com/qLxWamuPDMQ4Zv8o?ref=Link

#NewRunAlert

Dear Swaras,

What a fantastic Voi Ultra Run! We can safely say the 2023 edition was one not to forget, with the weather saving some unseasonal surprises for us, and the Trail Fox cracking out some hills that had the runners panting and stopping for support mid-stride! Well done to all who ran, and especially to those who broke their own distance records, we’re proud of you! See some photo highlights in the Starting Line: https://sway.office.com/CHrZVOpzEjERdNDc?ref=Link

This week’s run – Oloolu Natura Trail, Karen

This week we’re running from the Institute of Primate Research situated in Oloolua Foret, in Karen. Be sure to enter the forest and follow the road to the institute – if you park at the entrance you’ll have a long walk to the start line! Distances from 10 to 30km will be available. See the Starting Line for full details and to register: https://sway.office.com/CHrZVOpzEjERdNDc?ref=Link

#We’reAllPrimates

We had a great run from Jowac Sports Club, Ndenderu, this Saturday, with more hills than we dreamed of the night before, and more laughs and stretches post-run than your heart could ever desire. Thanks to everyone for bringing good vibes and to our Trail Fox for marking a fantastic route. Check out some photo highlights in the Starting Line: https://sway.office.com/dSox1BeUDqPBHc4G?ref=Link. You’ll also find some photo highlights from Swaras representing at the Strathmore University VC’s Run and even in Cairo and Washington DC!

This week’s run – Voi Ultra Run

This week is our annual Voi Ultra Run, from Afrika Lodges, in Voi! We have distances up to 64km to help a young-at-heart member celebrate their 64th birthday, so pick a distance, plan your travel, book your accommodation (or pack a blanket ;-)) and register, and we’ll see you there! See below for more details and to register. Register now, deadline is Thursday, and be sure to book your accommodation by tomorrow as the rooms will be released to the general public from tomorrow. Check out the starting line for full details and to register: https://sway.office.com/dSox1BeUDqPBHc4G?ref=Link