The 21km race was flagged off at exactly 7:00 am, but even hours before then, the Strathmore University Sports Complex was already abuzz with activity as Strathmore University kicked off its 6th Annual Run on Saturday, September 5th, 2026. 

This year, the run, which was inaugurated in 2021 as the Vice Chancellor’s Run, marked a new chapter as it was officially renamed the Strathmore Annual Run, reflecting its growing reach and bolder ambition to transform lives through education by providing scholarships to deserving students through the Strathmore University Foundation. Despite the name change, however, the Vice Chancellor, Dr Vincent Ogutu, was front and centre at the event, welcoming the over 3,000 participants and thanking them for championing the #RunForScholarships vision. In fact, he ran alongside seasoned runners in the 21km race.

By 7:10 am, the 10km racers were ready for take-off, followed closely by a much smaller crowd of 5km runners flagged off at 7:20 am, which included families running alongside their children. The 2.5 km runners were flagged off last at 7:30 am from the Sports Complex. In less than an hour since the University Council Chairperson, Mrs Bernadette Musundi, flagged off the 21km race, the Nairobi streets were flooded with runners adorned in bright golden and yellow T-shirts and carrying navy blue drawstring bags filled with post-run goodies curated to facilitate their recovery. 

A Race Backed by Ambitious Partners

The success of the event was largely backed by the over 40 partners who shared the same vision of educating a Stratizen. In the drawstring bags, Jani provided body wash and lotion, which were supplemented by Vaseline’s lotion and petroleum jelly. Rexona also provided the runners with deodorant to freshen up after the run to enjoy further activities awaiting them at the Sports Complex village. 

Back at the Sports Complex village, more partners of the 6th edition of the Strathmore Annual Run were ready to serve the runners, offering various goods and services to the runners as they started returning within the hour. From logistics companies and wellness companies to food partners and skincare, the runners were covered in all aspects. Workout Warehouse, a gym located at Highway Mall near the University, offered a one-day pass for all the participants, while Bfit provided the most needed recovery services from the run: physiotherapy. Arabuko provided refreshments, including bananas that turned out to be a fan favourite even before the run. Tropical Heat was ready with a snack, and when it got too hot, participants had a chance to suck on a cold Enigma ice cream, eat a yoghurt courtesy of Lyonsmaid or down a Redbull energy drink. More importantly, they were provided with electrolytes to recharge during and after the strenuous run.

Gift hampers awarded to various runners also included goodies from various other sponsors, including Samsung, Emirates, Denri and dozens of other companies, including spa gift cards at the Enashipai Resort and Spa. Capital FM and Homeboyz Radio supplemented the Strathmore communications team in covering the event.

Speaking of awardees, the runners started returning to the complex as early as 8:00 am, where they enjoyed warm-down sessions, danced to music and won various prizes from challenges by the on-site MC Piento, Coach Liz and other facilitators. 

Strathmore Annual Run Results

Run Beyond partnered with the University to accurately capture the running data for all the runners. Running legends Henry Wanyoike and Tegla Loroupe also joined the thousands of runners, encouraging participants to embrace running as a lifelong pursuit, particularly when it is combined with meaningful impact. The Omanyala Foundation, founded by Kenyan sprinter Ferdinand Omanyala, was also represented at the event.

In the long run, Edgar Shitemi topped the 755 runners taking on the 21 km race with a run time of 01:15:27, averaging 16.78 km/h. He was closely followed by Mark Mansa, who ran the same distance in 01:18:55. Anthony Wanjiru took the third position with a run time of 01:19:20. The first woman in the category, Yvonne Muli, arrived at position nine with a run time of 01:21:16. Julia Njari was second with 01:25:50, and Shontell Wanjiru came third with 01:30:26. Dr Vincent Ogutu, the Vice Chancellor completed the same course with a run time of 02:02:47.

The 10km category had the biggest turnout, with a total of 987 participants. Yahya Hussein ran the track in under an hour, coming in at 00:40:18. The second position was taken by a woman, Omondi Valerie Loughnane, at 00:42:20, and the third runner was Zacharia Njue at 00:44:37. The 5km race had 312 participants and was topped by James Mwiti Ndaro with 00:20:38. Parsal Beda came second with 00:20:54 and John Wachira came third with 00:23:24.

The final category, the 2.5 km run, had the least number of participants, mostly families, with a total of 61 runners. Moses Amani Emannuel topped the category with 00:12:34, followed by Emeldah Awuor Wendo with 00:12:46. The third position was taken by Leon Ngama, a minor under 12 years old, with a run time of 00:14:02.

A VC’s Ambitious Dream

Drawn from different ages, classes, and even running prowess, the over 3,000 runners shared a similar goal: to educate a deserving Stratizen who will benefit from the funds raised by the run. The day culminated with a cake-cutting session by the Vice Chancellor, who, six years ago, had a vision to conceptualise a run to raise scholarship funds for students. A run that had just 200 participants in 2021 has since grown by fifteenfold to over 3000 in 2026. From raising Ksh 484,383 in 2021 to over Ksh 7.2 million in the 2025 edition, and much more expected from the latest edition, the VC’s once-ambitious dream only seems to grow bolder, bigger and more impactful with every stride.

Through it all, the public has been instrumental in turning the dream into reality, consistently showing up in larger numbers with each passing year. Far more than earning the Stathmore-crested medals, their support has contributed to a broader culture of giving that continues to transform lives at the University. Over the past decade, Ksh 1 billion has been disbursed in scholarship support, with the Annual Run playing a significant role in advancing this cause. Currently, approximately 15% of undergraduate students receive financial aid, a figure the University ambitiously hopes to raise to 25% to ensure that even more deserving students can access a Strathmore education regardless of their financial circumstances.

Article written by: Maurine Kirambia