While trail running and mountain running are well-established sports in Kenya, they are taking a big developmental leap forward with the just-unveiled 2025 Magical Kenya Mountain and Trail Series.
Kicking off at the end of this week, this new series begins with the Tindiret Barng’etuny Mountain Run in Nandi County on January 18. The opening race will also form the selection race for Kenyan teams for the 2025 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships, set for September 25 to 28, 2025, in Spain. Next, on May 1, it will take in the 21-kilometer Nyamira Great Run, before traveling to the widely renowned Mount Kenya Mountain Run on June 8.
Mount Kenya, where the famed Mount Kenya race takes place. Photo: By Franco Pecchio – originally posted to Flickr as 200812_kenya_90, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7011630
The series will continue into the summer and fall with the Aberdares Trail Run on August 24, and the Mount Longonot Trail Challenge on November 16, before culminating in the Mount Elgon Mountain Run on December 7.
The series is a joint venture by the Kenyan Tourism Board and Athletics Kenya, and it aims to both nurture the country’s own trail running and mountain running talent as well as to attract more adventure and running tourists to visit Kenya from overseas.
June Chepkemei, CEO of the Kenya Tourism Board, said, “We live in a country that is adorned with exciting landscapes and amazing adventure experiences that we are happy to bring to the table. We kick off in 2025 the Magical Kenya Mountain and Trail Series with Tindiret Barng’etuny Mountain Run. We therefore call upon the adventure tourists, the sports[people], and the great Kenyans to join us on this trail.” She added, “Kenya is much more, it is indeed an adventure destination.”
June Chepkemei (front left), CEO of the Kenya Tourism Board, at the launch of Magical Kenya Mountain and Trail Series. On the far right is Jackson Tuwei, President of Athletics Kenya and Vice President of World Athletics. Photo: Athletics Kenya
The series will take in four of Kenya’s iconic national parks: Mount Kenya National Park, Aberdares National Park, Mount Elgon National Park, and Mount Longonot National Park. Gladys Kosgei, Director of Marketing at the Kenya Wildlife Service is enthusiastic about their inclusion, and said, “Trail runs in the parks will enhance visibility for these destinations while allowing participants to connect with nature in a unique way.”
Over the past few years, Kenyan runners have been making waves in international mountain running, with stars such as Patrick Kipngeno, Joyce Muthoni Njeru, Philemon Kiriago, Philaries Kisang taking top spots at both the Golden Trail World Series and the Mountain Running World Cup, the latter hosted by the World Mountain Running Association.
Joyce Muthoni Njeru of Kenya celebrates a win at the 2024 Val Bregaglia Trail in Italy. In a very close 2024 Mountain Running World Cup, she took second behind world cup winner Scout Adkin. Photo: iRunFar/Meghan Hicks
Kipngeno, who was the overall men’s series winner at the 2024 Mountain Running World Cup, was also crowned the uphill world champion at the most recent 2023 World Mountain Running Championships.
The new series not only invites runners from around the world to experience racing where these great athletes started out, but also has the potential to elevate more talented trail runners and mountain runners in Kenya. Will a new Kipngeno or Njeru arise from this series?
The 2023 World Mountain Running Championships Uphill race men’s podium (l-to-r): 2. Levi Kiprotich, 1. Patrick Kipngeno, and 3. Josphat Kiprotich. Photo: Marco Gulberti/World Mountain Running Association
2025 Magical Kenya Mountain and Trail Series
- January 18 – Tindiret Barng’etuny Mountain Run
- May 1 – Nyamira Great Run
- June 8 – Mount Kenya Mountain Run
- August 24 – Aberdares Trail Run
- November 16 – Mount Longonot Trail Challenge
- December 7 – Mount Elgon Mountain Run
