Disha Shah Ghosh - Mumbai The Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) and Athletics Kenya (AK) has launched a series of mountain and trail running events aimed at positioning Kenya as a sports and adventure destination.
The series dubbed the “Magical Kenya Mountain & Trail Series” will kick off with the Barngetuny mountain run hosted in Nandi County set for January 18, 2025.
Speaking during the launch event in Nairobi, PS for Tourism John Ololtua said that Kenya known as the home of running and world beaters has the potential to attract additional tourists by tapping in the mountain and trail series which also gives opportunity for youth to exploit their talent as well as promote the local economies where the trail takes place.
“This Magical Kenya Mountain and trail Series align with our broader strategy of positioning Kenya as a multi-experience destination, catering to diverse interests and preferences,” he said. “We are confident that this trail series will become a flagship event, drawing visitors from around the globe and contributing significantly to our tourism economy.”
During the event, KTB and Athletics Kenya also signed a partnership that will see both organisations collaborate to promote Kenya as a premier destination for sports and adventure.
Athletics Kenya President Lt. Gen (Rtd) Jackson Tuwei expressed his excitement saying “We are glad to partner on this trail series which runs across various mountain trails and counties. We can use this mountain runs and trails to train our athletes to compete in the World Mountain and Trail Running Championship while also positioning Kenya to host one of the events in the global series. We already have over 20 medals in the championships and will use the Tinderet Barng’etuny Mountain Run to select the athletes who will represent Kenya in the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships.” he said
The Magical Kenya Mountain & Trail Series will feature six mountain and trail running events across Kenya’s unique landscapes, including the Barng’etuny Mountain Run, Nyamira Great Run Edition in May, Mt. Kenya Mountain Run Edition in June, Aberdare’s Trail Run Edition in August, Mt. Longonot Edition in November and the Elgon run in December.
June Chepkemei, CEO, KTB, said that the collaboration was a significant milestone in the board’s efforts to diversify Kenya’s tourism offering and tapping into the lucrative sports tourism markets. She added that the Mountain & Trail Series would be a game changer attracting both international sports enthusiasts and domestic tourists.
“Kenya is endowed with breathtaking landscapes, from majestic mountains to pristine trails, which provide the perfect backdrop for adventure and sports,” said Chepkemei. “By partnering with Athletics Kenya and launching this Mountain and trail series we aim to leverage our international stature as a sports giant to market our destination as well as attract more tourists to Kenya.
The MP for Tinderet who is also the patron of the Barngetuny mountain run said “The Barng’etuny Mountain Run is not only a platform to celebrate Kenya’s rich heritage and breathtaking landscapes but also an opportunity to empower our communities through sports and tourism. This event will bring people together, foster economic growth, and showcase the unique beauty of the Rift Valley to the world. We invite everyone to come and be part of this exciting event, explore our rich heritage, and witness the beauty that makes our region a true gem,” said Melly
The launch event brought together key partners from the running community including hikers, trail and mountain runners and the tourism trade who will be packing attractions around the trails. The Trail Series is part of the broader Kenya Adventure Tourism Club initiative, which brings together public and private sector organizations, adventure experience owners, experts, and suppliers across Kenya’s nine tourism circuits. The club aims to foster collaboration and promote Kenya as a world-class destination for adventure enthusiasts.
