Urban Swaras Running Club

Dear Swaras,

Well done! Well done to ALL who ran on Saturday! Now you understand why we hyped it up, right?! It’s one heck of a run! Much like learning to drive, it looks easy until you’re in the thick of it. The heat, the hills, they all try to beat you down, but the Swara spirit, the togetherness, and the runner’s high keep you going! What a great run it was, and I hope you can ALL make it next time we do it. See photo highlights in the Starting Line: https://sway.office.com/qpjuar3AYug3T3Bh?ref=Link

We also had an excellent speed work session at Nyayo Stadium, so be sure to attend this Thursday if you want to see what all the fuss is about. Thursday, from 5.30pm at Nyayo Stadium.

This week’s run – Voi Ultra Run!

It’s finally here…the 2022 Voi Ultra Run. Let’s do what Swaras do best, and enjoy a long, scenic, friendly run in Voi, and have an overnight social and hangout at Afrika Lodges! Non-members are of course welcome too, or feel free to bring your family or friends 🙂

The key details are below —>

The Route – The run will start and end at Afrika Lodges, in Voi. There will be a 15, 30, and 60km route. If you want any distance in between you may of course extend or combine the loops! It WILL be hilly and it WILL be hot and it WILL be beautiful! This is a new route, so those who took part last year, you will be in for a new treat!

Accommodation and meals – See poster below for accommodation rates. This is full-board, at Afrika Lodges, which has very clean, safe, and friendly rooms at affordable rates for Swaras, and plenty of room for everyone! Please book directly with Afrika Lodges using the details on the poster (0714 423 591). If you wish to stay somewhere else but still wish to take meals at Afrika Lodges, please contact me.

Transport – You can drive (we recommend car-pooling) down to Voi, straight down Mombasa Road, or you can choose to take the SGR. Please book early to avoid disappointment. The run is Saturday morning, so we suggest travelling down Friday, and travelling back Sunday (you don’t want to miss dinner, nyama choma and afterparty)!

Run support and registration – The nature of this run and the additional logistics involved in providing support to runners (food and drink on the trail) we will be asking for a 500ksh registration fee from all members. This is payable in advance via m-pesa to the club’s number 0740912116. Please fill this form and include the m-pesa payment confirmation code here, before Thursday 26th May: https://forms.gle/psDnz2zy9tQYTtGV8

Please remember that booking your hotel room does not count as registering the for the run, you must still register for the run. Full details and link to register here: https://sway.office.com/qpjuar3AYug3T3Bh?ref=Link

Swara Speed Work

Speed work is back, and after our session session last week, we expect numbers to continue grow, and people to get more used to this very different style of running, but one that REALLY improves your running all-round, and is a fun and cheap way to spend an early evening with other Swaras! We have moved speed work to 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. There is no fee payable to the club, this is open to all members. Please wear your club t shirts if you have one, so that you can be easily identified.

VoiVoiVoom!

This was one of those runs where people were out early on the trails, and out till late for the afterparty! Thank you to all who showed up for the Kitengela Run, and a special shoutout to our guests from the Kitengela running clubs, and also to Davis, our Treasurer, for scouting such an excellent trail for us! If YOU have a new trail that you think Swaras should enjoy, reach out to us, or let Loice or Shem know, we’re always seeking new thrills 🙂 See some photo highlights here: https://sway.office.com/lhu4VBa4vs1C6WDn?ref=Link

We also had an excellent speed work session at Nyayo Stadium, so be sure to attend this Thursday if you want to see what all the fuss is about. Also check out the details of this week’s Zoom session in the Starting Line: https://sway.office.com/lhu4VBa4vs1C6WDn?ref=Link

This week we are bringing back the LEGENDARY Chairman’s run; a run designed to test your endurance, your hill legs, and your Swaraness, you might say 🙂 This is an ‘A to B run’, whereby we meet at Hekima Place Children’s Home, Kona Baridi (Kiserian), on Magadi Road, and a bus will drop you at your chosen distance of 10 to 40km away from the meeting point, and you run back to the meeting point, along Magadi Road. This is what makes or breaks a Swara :-) See full details in the Starting Line, and register by Thursday to allow for planning of logistics. Registering in advance is very important to allow for the planning of these runs, so please always register by the Thursday before the Saturday run. Thank you! Full details and link to register in the Starting Line: https://sway.office.com/lhu4VBa4vs1C6WDn?ref=Link

An Audience With…Jeff Onyango!

This month’s Swara Zoom session is An Audience With Jeff Onyango, a professional strength and conditioning coach, talking about the merits of this cross-training for both elite AND recreational runners. Those of you who have had the pleasure of training with Jeff will understand how his trainings have helped champion runners build their strength to go on to win medals! Tune in Wednesday 18th May, 7pm on Zoom. Meeting ID: 712 246 2872, passcode 202617, link to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7122462872?pwd=Lzl0cXhod2NkOVlnYTEvb1R4c1J0UT09

Swara Speed Work

Speed work is back, and after our first session last week, we expect numbers to grow, and people to get more used to this very different style of running, but one that REALLY improves your running all-round, and is a fun and cheap way to spend an early evening with other Swaras! We have moved speed work to 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. There is no fee payable to the club, this is open to all members. Please wear your club t shirts if you have one, so that you can be easily identified.

Something else to get excited about? Voi Ultra is this month!

That’s right, the Voi Ultra Run is back this month, the last Saturday of May, with a brand new out and back route, and it is now time to register and book your accommodation and transport so you know what you have to look forward to! See poster below for accommodation details. Book directly with Afrika Lodges. Distances of 15, 30, and 60km. The run will attract a 500ksh support fee, because of the additional support needed for a run of this scale. Book your transport and accommodation now to avoid disappointment! We will be sharing the registration form later this week. Accommodation is for Friday and Saturday night, full board. The run will be on Saturday.

Find all of this and more in the Starting Line: https://sway.office.com/lhu4VBa4vs1C6WDn?ref=Link

#RunTillYouDrop

Dear Swaras, 

Talk about 2 for the price of 1! This weekend we had a fantastic Saturday Swara run from Cellar’s Grill on Ngong Road, with a complimentary breakfast for all, and then on Sunday we had the Nairobi City/Expressway/Uhuru Marathon, where so many members also flexed their running muscles (some with complimentary entry thanks to a partnership between the club and the organisers). We had too many photos to choose from for this week’s Starting Line, so just featured a selection of the most telling. If you missed either, or both of them don’t worry, there’s a new run every Saturday! See the photo highlights here: https://sway.office.com/fC1hIJvvo8kGmVWP?ref=Link

This Saturday we’ll be running from another brand new trail, scouted by our distinguished treasurer and champ, Davis Munene, in Kitengela. The meeting point is Quickmart, OBC Mall, Kitengela, and breakfast point is Charlie’s Bistro, also in OBC Mall, Kitengela. Find full details and registration info here: https://sway.office.com/fC1hIJvvo8kGmVWP?ref=Link

You do not want to miss this, it is a fantastic new trail in a new Swara spot, so see you all there!

Swara Speed Work

More good news: speed work is back! We have moved speed work to 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. There is no fee payable to the club, this is open to all members. Please wear your club t shirts if you have one, so that you can be easily identified. 

#KitenTrail

WHAT A RUN!! That was a spectacular running weekend in Kericho, the club’s first official Kericho Trail Run, and truly, the tea plantations of Kericho offered perfect running terrain, and spirits and running camaraderie were certainly free flowing. And the after party…well, you had to have been there (so I hear) 😉 Thank you especially to all the members who contributed to making this run a success, in particular Shem, Masika, Chebet, Chirie, and many others – we appreciate you! See photo highlights in the Starting Line: https://sway.office.com/xSENQuozQPpiLPxl?ref=Link

This Saturday we are heading to a new venue, in town, called Cellar’s Grill, for a run around the Ngong Road area. Please note, this is a change to the original calendar, the Chairman’s Run has been postponed to a later date, more info coming soon. See the Starting Line for full details and and to register. Oh, and breakfast is on the house, thanks to our Patron, James Wahome! Link to Starting Line: https://sway.office.com/xSENQuozQPpiLPxl?ref=Link 

#RunAndWine

We certainly weren’t left with any hunger after this weekend’s run from Hunger’s Nest – our craving for a brilliant trail and a hearty breakfast was satisfied all in one! Despite the rains we were able to remark in the morning and make sure we had a superb run. Check out some photo highlights in the Starting Line: https://sway.office.com/a6E3vfpTTpZqRVbq?ref=Link

This weekend is THE weekend! The Kericho Trail Run, a brand new run for all to salivate over, and it is open to EVERYONE! Now that Friday is a holiday and Monday is a holiday also, you can make a long weekend of it, or build in some additional stops on your roadtrip, but be sure to be in Kericho on Saturday for the run, whatever you do! Register right awayso that we as a committee can plan everything tip-top for you, from the markings, to the support, to the mbuzi (bbq) afterparty (you heard right)! Bring your swimming costumes, there is a pool 🙂 And bring your friends, it’s open to everyone! Full details in the Starting Line: https://sway.office.com/a6E3vfpTTpZqRVbq?ref=Link

For those wanting to take the Swara bus we require payment by Wednesday 27th April otherwise your space is not secured. Let’s go get our cup of tea!

Link to sign up directly here: https://forms.gle/7URajBDvQv42g7XVA

#YourRunningCupOfTea

Is there such a thing as too much of a good thing? If there is, then this weekend was it! A trail through the Tigoni tea plantations, fundraising for Shoe4Africa children’s cancer charity, and celebrating Avani Patel’s (aka The General’s) 50th birthday with cake and festivities under the Tigoni sunshine. Phew! I hope you’ve all recovered…because there’s more to come! See the Starting Line for some photo highlights: https://sway.office.com/vFgkkbEJpzhni0Eo?ref=Link

This Saturday we will be running from a very special and very new venue. One of our own members, Duncan Mwololo, will be welcoming us to his home, in Mua Hilla, Machakos, for a trail run to beat all trail runs. See the Starting Line for full information, and of course you will want to register right away. Please note the run will start at 7.30am to allow everyone to travel from Nairobi and reach the run on time. Link to Starting Line: https://sway.office.com/vFgkkbEJpzhni0Eo?ref=Link

Then there’s still more to look forward to! This Wednesday we are bringing back our ‘Show & Tell’ / ‘An Audience With…’ Zoom sessions, and this Wednesday it will be with ‘An Audience With Dedan Miricho’, runner, running coach, and legend on the Nairobi recreational running scene. Look out for the link, coming tomorrow. Wednesday 7pm, live on Zoom, be there or be a running square!

If you’ve not done so yet, book out the weekend of the 30th April, because we have a fantastic new run (which has just been freshly scouted and boy oh boy are the CRE excited about it) in none other than Kericho! We will be sharing more info about accommodation and travel options soon.

#MuaHahaa

You could say we KEFRIlly really loved last weekend’s run 😉 Not only were there beautiful hills and a brilliant trail, but also cake to celebrate our dear Chairman’s birthday…and that, coincidentally, of his twin! Thank you to all who stayed to cut the cake and celebrate with them. And well done to all of you for braving what did not promise to be a perfect weather day. Check out some beautiful photo highlights (and see the cake you missed out on!) here: https://sway.office.com/pcdY1iKb1HyA2jCZ?ref=Link

This Saturday we have another fantastic trail run in store for you, and the celebrations continue! We are running from Thayu Farm Hotel in Tigoni, with distances up to 35km, and one of our veteran members (that does NOT mean old!) is celebrating her birthday by inviting all runners to pick up a medal for this run in exchange for a donation to Shoe4Africa Children’s Cancer Hospital. See full details in the Starting Line to register and, if you choose, get a medal and make a donation to celebrate Avani Patel’s birthday: https://sway.office.com/pcdY1iKb1HyA2jCZ?ref=Link

Direct link to register for the run here: https://forms.gle/wHJ2ujiREvpkXBWi8

#ThayuVeryMuch

We had a great run last weekend at Valley Arcade, with a super turnout, and thankfully the rains just missed us! Check out the photos in the Starting Line: https://sway.office.com/4zphu7H2wbLa8Fnv?ref=Link

Next week’s run

This coming Saturday we are celebrating the club’s Chairman’s Birthday! And in true Swara fashion, we will give you the option of running his age! So in addition to the usual 10-35km distance we shall have a special 55km distance! All this in the beautiful setting of KEFRI (Kenya Forestry Research Institute) in Muguga (near Kikuyu).

See the Starting Line for full details and to register: https://sway.office.com/4zphu7H2wbLa8Fnv?ref=Link

Club Calendar

If you haven’t yet ordered your brand new USRC wall calendar, do so now!

This brand new calendar goes for 500ksh, and you can pick up one, two, or as many as you like for yourself and your running buddies.

Payment to be made to the club m-pesa number: 0740 912 116 (Samuel Waweru) as you place your order below.

Select your shipping option – Delivery (at your cost) or Collection (Run beyond, Ngong Rd Physio, Decathlon, club run, etc).

To order, fill in this form: https://forms.gle/kbhu4YUMGEHrpwYr5

#55at55

A wonderful trail was enjoyed by all in Kikuyu this past weekend, thanks to everyone for bringing out their best running spirit. We also had the Red Bull Crew on site hyping us up for their big run next month – see the Starting Line for how to register for this, and also find some other exciting runs coming up in the next couple of months that you can already register for and start getting excited for! See the Starting Line here: https://sway.office.com/EcwhAEbGXV1E357I?ref=Link

If you ever have suggestions for new trails, venues, or routes, reach out to the Swara committee! You can email us on urbanswaras@outlook.com.

Next week’s run

Next Saturday, 19th March, we are having the much anticipated Run2Gether Training Camp run, in Longonot. Dennis Lopua, professional runner and Swara, trains here, and we try to run there once a year, and invite all Swaras and camp members for a slap-up breakfast! We also invite you all to bring slightly used but still wearable running gear (shoes, jackets, running clothes, etc.) for donation to runners with meagre means, or members of the community. There will be distances from 10 all the way up to 35km, and 110% of it will be trail, and a fair bit of it will be unflat (See how I’m trying to avoid the word hills…?) 😉 Get full details and register here: https://sway.office.com/EcwhAEbGXV1E357I?ref=Link

Club Calendar

If you haven’t yet ordered your brand new USRC wall calendar, do so now!

This brand new calendar goes for 500ksh, and you can pick up one, two, or as many as you like for yourself and your running buddies.

Payment to be made to the club m-pesa number: 0740 912 116 (Samuel Waweru) as you place your order below.

Select your shipping option – Delivery (at your cost) or Collection (Run beyond, Ngong Rd Physio, Decathlon, club run, etc).

To order, fill in this form: https://forms.gle/kbhu4YUMGEHrpwYr5

#Run2getherToRunFar