We’re thrilled to invite you to our 15th Anniversary Gala Dinner! ??????? Join us as we celebrate 15 fantastic years of running, friendship, and achievements. It’s the perfect way to end the year with the incredible runners who’ve made our journey so special.
Date: Saturday, 9th November 2024 Time: 6:00 PM Venue: Sarova Panafric Hotel Dress Code: A Touch of African
What to Expect:
Elegant three-course dinner
Medals and awards
Dancing
Very (VERY) special guests
Tickets: Kshs 4000/- Includes all the above for an unforgettable evening!
Awards:
Mileage & Medal Categories:
1000 to 1999 km
2000 to 2999 km
3000 to 3999 km
4000 to 4999 km
More than 5000 km
Special Awards:
Best Newcomer (Last 12 Months) – Male/Female
Most KM – Male/Female
Most Improved Runner / Most Transformed (Chairman’s Award) – Male/Female
Best Dressed – Male/Female
Feel free to invite friends, family, or fellow runners from other clubs to join in the fun! ?
Register now to secure your mileage medals and get ready for a fantastic night. Book your tickets and start preparing your outfit, dance moves, and acceptance speeches! ??
Hey Swaras! Time to shake off the week and hit the streets . This Saturday, 28th September 2024, we’re running from Lava Latte, State House Rd ??. Here’s the plan:
Location: Lava Latte, State House Rd Flag Off: 7 AM sharp! Route: 95% tarmac (so expect a smooth run Distances: 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 km (pick your poison! )
Breakfast: Refuel with your choice from the menu. Nairobi Breakfast is a solid pick @Ksh.750 (2 eggs, 2 sausages, toast, home fries, and tea/coffee).
Hey everyone! Ready for our next run? Here’s the scoop:
Location: Bavaria Gardens, Karuna Close, Westlands, Nairobi Google Maps Link
Flag Off: 7 AM Distances: 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 km Route: 90% tarmac Breakfast: Order whatever tickles your fancy from the menu! Birthday Cake: For our September babies, starting at 10 AM! Guest Fees: Ksh 600/-
Sometimes a week goes by with very little excitement or news. THAT IS NOT THIS WEEK! We’ve been blown away by Swara exploits. Firstly we had a bevvy of runners in Kaptagat, for the inaugural Swaras Kaptagat run, from The King’s Lair, as we dubbed it. We had reported sightings of Kipchoge himself, flagging off by retired champion runner Hon. Leah Malot, tree planting after the run, mud and trails and the most delectable maize cobs you’ve ever tasted. Not to mention the afterparty...no seriously, let’s not mention it 😉 Huge thank you to Shem and Masika for coordinating this new run for us! See some photo highlights: https://sway.office.com/LO9vXgpGA75gXRzk?ref=Link
On the other side of the continent you had a handful of Swaras and other Nairobi recreational runners pushing themselves to new limits with the annual Comrades Run in South Africa – 90km no less! The almighty Annika Berlin left a trail of dust behind her, with an impressive maiden finish in this grueling run, and Sam Ndungu and Andu Debebe (to name a few) crossed the finish line with juice still left in the tank, to raucous applause. Well done all of you!
The Sky-running king himself Victor Miringu completed the 160km Ultra Trail Mont Blanc, a run that most ultra runners dream of. Just wow. Just amazing.
And then Cheruiyot (the man only needs one name), came SECOND in the 160km Chiang Mai Ultra Trail in Thailand, and has some hilarious tales to tell (be sure to chase him down next time you see him…if you can)!
Please celebrate them, and follow their lead, in having fun, pushing to new heights, and embodying #RunningIsLiving!
This week’s run – Villa Park Resort, Wangige
This Saturday we’re heading to a classic Swara venue, Villa Park Resort, Wangige. Bring a friend, it’s not too far, and bring your good cheer, the sun is coming back to Nairobi, I have been reassured! Distances of 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30km will be available (approximate distances only). Full info and registration form here: https://sway.office.com/LO9vXgpGA75gXRzk?ref=Link
Mount Kenya Ultra – read me!!
With one ultra gone, let’s get ready for the next! Mount Kenya Ultra is a flagship Swara run, and this year we are reinstating the infamous Mountain to Mountain route – reworked! on 10th September we will go from Mount Kenya to the Aberdares, with three possible routes: 25km, 50km and 80km. But even if you’ve been at every previous edition of this run, the route will still surprise you, as we find new ways to delight the legs 🙂 Register now: https://forms.gle/7w75iU3gEzzKadhN8
Affordable accommodation has been secured at Golden Gates Hotel in Nyeri (2,500ksh per person B&B single, 3,000ksh total for a double), and Mountain Gate Hotel at Naro Moru Gate (2,000ksh per person B&B). Register now to start getting excited:
Book your accommodation directly with Golden Gate Hotel: 0707 029292 or Mountain Gate Hotel: 0711 267981
Note: The full ultra runners (80km) should book Mountain Gate Hotel for Friday night and for Saturday book golden Gate Hotel. The 50km and 25km should book Golden Gate Hotel as their starting points are nearby.
The route is 25% trail and 75% tarmac for the full ultra.
The run is charged as a normal Swara run, so no extra charge for members, and 500ksh for guests. We will have optional t shirts and medals for an extra charge. Prices and sign up for this are in the same registration from: https://forms.gle/7w75iU3gEzzKadhN8 #SwarasAroundTheWorld
There were plenty of photo opportunities at this past weekend’s Swara run: dams, trees, trails, hills, flatlands, you name it, it had it! As a bonus, we discovered a new runner-friendly venue in Dagoretti. If you enjoyed the run and have an idea for a future run of the same calibre, let us know! See the Starting Line for some photo highlights: https://sway.office.com/QHYAAmuf35uQredQ?ref=Link
This week’s run – Outdoorman Cabins, Kimunye
This week we have the much-anticipated Kimunye Run, from the picturesque Outdoorman Cabins, Come discover the small but mighty Kirinyaga County, and the foothills of Mount Kenya in all their splendour. Link to register right away: https://forms.gle/KeX8FpcRqz2kvTyTA
See the Starting Line for full details on shared transport, carpooling, and the delightful breakfast, parking, and day trip combo we have negotiated for you all! https://sway.office.com/QHYAAmuf35uQredQ?ref=Link
We learned a thing or two about Karen and its hidden paths, trails, and hills this weekend, and had breakfast amongst the monkeys! Lesson learned: monkeys like sugar! Oh, and Swaras like hills! 😉 Thanks to everyone who showed up, and welcome also to a whole load of new members that have just joined us this week, make yourselves at home! Check out the Starting Line for some photo highlights: https://sway.office.com/FoSdGGkHHAmrLnuv?ref=Link
This Starting Line is sponsored by Enda and Healthy Kajuju?. Swaras get 20% off their online purchases from both stores this week using discount code ‘Swara20’.
Visit the Enda website to order your Kenyan-made running shoes: https://ke.endasportswear.com/ or the Healthy Kajuju Shop for healthy snacks and treats: https://healthykajuju.com/shop/
This week’s run – The Subraile, Ruaka
This week we’re running from The Subraile, a chilled hangout in Ruaka. There will be distances up to 30km to choose from, with an almost entirely traily trail full of undulating hills – see ya later, tarmac! Find full info and link to register (register by Thursday 5pm!) here: https://sway.office.com/FoSdGGkHHAmrLnuv?ref=Link
Swara Speed Work
Speed work is back. See you at Nyayo Stadium, Thursday from 5.30pm, until 7pm. Speed work will be held there every Thursday in May and June. Entrance is 200ksh, payable directly to the stadium.
What a magnificent, marvellous, and mesmerising run that was, with a double M run – Mua Hills with the Mwololos. Thank you so much to the Mwololo family for hosting us as a club, and thank you to all who came out, despite the fuel crisis and the holiday madness! The route had views every which way you looked, and it was perfect running terrain for trail-hungry runners and scenery aficionados. What a treat! See photo highlights in the Starting Line: https://sway.office.com/rIFncr6eI6MBZlq9?ref=Link
This Saturday we are heading back to town, and running from Hunger’s Nest, in Langata. We will have on offer distances from 10km to 30km, and if you know what’s right for you you’ll be gearing up for the first Swara Kericho trail run the weekend after so save some energy for that! See full details and register here: https://sway.office.com/rIFncr6eI6MBZlq9?ref=Link
A huge thank you also to Dedan Miricho, our first Swara Zoom guest of 2022, and it was a hugely informative session, with a fantastic attendance, leaving everyone begging for more! If you’re interested in being a guest for Show&Tell or An Audience With…, or you have an idea for a guest, reach out to the Secretary. Thanks to Michael Nawari for reviving this much-loved tradition.
See below for a recap of the Kericho Trail Run details sent out last week, and don’t forget to book your accommodation right away, and let us know if you would like a spot on the Swara bus (which will only go ahead if there is enough interest).
Kericho Trail Run
Date: Saturday 30th April, 2022, flagging off 7am. Advised to travel Friday 29th April, and back Sunday 1st May.
Distances: 15, 25, 35, and 45km
Venue: Hills Country Lodge, Kericho
Trail type: trail!
Transport: we are looking at arranging for a Swara bus, which holds 22 people, but this is only possible if we have enough demand. Leaving Friday around 2pm, returning Sunday morning. If you would like to take the Swara bus, please send the Secretary a message (+254792745372 / Whatsapp +33615209676/ email clairesimonebaker@gmail.com) before end of Tuesday 19th April saying you’re interested in the Swara Kericho bus, so we can get a provisional idea. Depending on numbers the cost would be between 3,000ksh and 4,300ksh return.
Accommodation: We invite you all to already book your accommodation, deadline for that is 23rd April. Please use the contact and booking details below. There are approximately 30 rooms available, mostly double, and 1 twin. Negotiated flat rate for bed and breakfast reserved by 23rd April = 2,000ksh per person per night, or 2,600ksh for 2 people in a double bed. Contact Person Ken 0720941891
This is a normal Swara run, so there is no extra registration cost for members. Guests pay the normal 500ksh guest fees. #RunningNest
Are you feeling a little ‘mojo-less’? Are you finding yourself sleeping in on a Saturday morning instead of hitting the trails, now that there are no Swara runs? Well, we’ve got something to get you jumping into your running gear again! The Swara PB Challenge! We’re challenging all Urban Swaras to record a PB (personal best) in a variety of distances, or record your longest distance run. You’re only competing against yourself! Think of Eliud Kipchoge setting his PBs with only his pacers and a camera crew. Except without the pacers and the camera crew 🙂
Wherever you are, whatever you’re wearing, just run! You can set yourself a specific goal, or just go with the flow, and once you record a PB or longest distance, share the screenshot of your watch/running app on the Whatsapp group, or by email (clairesimonebaker@gmail.com) or Whatsapp (+33615209676) to the MC before Sunday 25th April 11.59pm and, once the very serious, very fair, and very handsome judging committee verifies that it is eligible, you will enter a prize draw to win a 2,000ksh voucher to spend at the Duka La Swara! All entries will be shared and celebrated in next week’s Starting Line.
So get your PB jam on, and see what you’re capable of! See poster above, and find full details, and photo highlights from last week in the Starting Line: https://sway.office.com/iQHxkCFmOvS1MpJf?ref=Link
Please note there will be no Saturday run or speedwork for the foreseeable future.
Link to the Starting Line: https://sway.office.com/iQHxkCFmOvS1MpJf?ref=Link
I never thought I would see the day where I would complain about a LACK of mud, but after working myself up for a slip and slide, our Trail Fox surprised us all by finding us a beautiful trail that, despite the recent rains, was pretty free of the worst sort of mud. Kudos to him! And kudos to all who ran, including a number of new runners, and some familiar faces that we hadn’t seen in a long time, who couldn’t miss what they knew was going to be a great run from an easily accessible location. Luckily we didn’t lose any Swaras to the river, which was crossed no less than three times, on the most precarious of ‘bridges’ (if you can even call them that). Check out the photos in the Starting Line for a giggle! https://sway.office.com/srWjVPrUuHuWBD1f?ref=Link
The Treasurer has been inspecting our membership records, and we invite you all to make sure you’re up-to-date on your subs, to ensure the smooth running of the club. Do remember that the Club Officials and CRE are volunteers, and so we urge you all to continue to show the camaraderie and cooperation that has come to characterise us as a club, and to follow the club guidelines and membership obligations, to make the running of the club smooth and pleasant for all. We thank you all so much for helping make the Urban Swaras one of Kenya’s biggest and best running clubs!
This coming week we have so much to look forward to! Graceland Upcountry Run is now in its 10th edition, believe it or not, and to celebrate this BIG figure there will be BIG trails, of not less than 30km and 55km. Registration is ongoing until Wednesday 17th February, so hurry to register, and let us and Wachira, our gracious host, know if you will be attending the pasta dinner and post-run lunch. Register here: https://forms.gle/PPA7244XvrZX3iXn7
For those that will be staying put in Nairobi for one reason or another, we will meet at Ngong Road Forest Sanctuary, following the marked trails and not at all getting FOMO for the Graceland attendees!
Full details on both runs in the Starting Line: https://sway.office.com/srWjVPrUuHuWBD1f?ref=Link
Breakfast is available at the venue, but not mandatory. Parking fees are charged at 100/- 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 required by Thursday at 1400. Click here to confirm (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.
