Kilimambogo Trail Marathon Launched to Champion Conservation Through Sport

By KPC Sports Reporter

East Trail Sports Series Ltd has officially launched the inaugural Kilimambogo Trail Marathon 2026, a unique event that blends trail running with environmental conservation under the theme “A Stride for a Cleaner Future.”

Speaking during the launch at Monarch Hotel in Nairobi, Event Director Steven Mutinda described the marathon as more than a sporting competition, saying it is a platform that demonstrates the power of sport to drive environmental action and community engagement.

Participants will tackle forest trails, rolling hills, rugged terrain and breathtaking landscapes around Kilimambogo Mountain, home to the iconic Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park.

“This is more than a race—it is a movement that demonstrates how sport can mobilise people to protect what they love,” said Mutinda.

He noted that while conservation experts lead environmental restoration efforts, the role of event organisers is to create platforms that bring together communities, specialists and participants to make a meaningful impact.

“We are sports experience organisers building a platform that enables experts, communities and participants to collaborate and make a significant impact—one that none of us can achieve independently,” he said.

The marathon is scheduled for 18 July 2026, with runners traversing the scenic trails of Kilimambogo Mountain and Ol Donyo Sabuk town. Beyond the race, organisers have partnered with conservation stakeholders to undertake a clean-up of a section of the Athi River and plant trees along its riparian corridor.

The initiative targets a stretch of the river bordering Kiambu and Machakos counties, where tree planting and clean-up activities are expected to help stabilise riverbanks, reduce soil erosion, trap waste and improve water quality.

“We are not claiming to restore the entire River Athi. Instead, we are adopting one section in our inaugural edition, with the hope that our work inspires similar action elsewhere. Every stride will leave a positive footprint on our trail,” Mutinda added.

The event received official backing from Athletics Kenya, with Senior Vice President and Director of Competitions Paul Mutwii endorsing the marathon and confirming that organisers had met the standards required to host the competition.

Mutwii praised East Trail Sports Series for creating an event that successfully combines athletics with conservation and encouraged runners from across the country to take part.

He said the marathon would not only promote healthy lifestyles and environmental stewardship but also provide an additional competitive platform for Kenyan athletes, particularly in the growing discipline of trail running.

Organisers are targeting 1,500 participants drawn from Nairobi, Central Kenya, the Rift Valley, Machakos, Kitui, Makueni and other regions. More than 3,000 spectators are expected to attend, creating a vibrant festival atmosphere.

The event will feature a Festival Square hosting opening and closing ceremonies, prize presentations, exhibitions and vendor booths, providing entertainment and networking opportunities for participants and partners.

With a total prize purse of KSh1.5 million, the overall male and female winners will each receive KSh250,000.

The marathon also aligns with Kenya’s national environmental agenda, supporting the government’s 15 Billion Trees by 2032 initiative while showcasing how sport can serve as a practical vehicle for conservation.

The organising committee acknowledged the support of Athletics Kenya, Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park, Seedballs Kenya, the Tegla Loroupe Peace Foundation, Kibo Africa, Del Monte Kenya and several other partners supporting the inaugural event.