Dear Swaras, 

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

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

SwaraPBChallenge

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

#AmazingGraceland

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, 25, 30 & 35km.

Breakfast & facilities

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.