Kenya: G4s in Race to Secure Karura

Chris Musumba

28 June 2011

Nairobi — It is time to pull on your running gear for the newly launched G4S Karura Cross Country Challenge, which will be staged in the serene forest environment in the outskirts of Nairobi on July 30.

The race, which aims to attract more than 600 athletes – including several Olympians and elite runners – will serve as a build-up for the star athletes in their preparation for the big city marathons of Berlin and Chicago.

There will be three races on the card: the 16 kilometres, 9km and 5km.

The main race, a 16km run dubbed the “Mau Mau Trails”, will start at a famous cave in the forest that used to serve as a hideout for the Mau Mau fighters during the war of independence.

Challenging course

The winner in the men’s and women’s will each receive Sh50,000 in prize money.

The 9km event, “Trail of Fire”, has a challenging course with hills and twists while the 5km will target the corporate institutions.

Registration is open online at the race’s website, www.g4s-karurachallenge.com and will cost Sh1,000 per entry.

Veteran athlete Dauglas Wakiihuri, the world marathon champion, trains at Karura forest and said the route provides the athletes with a unique tranquil environment, which will be refreshing away from the ordinary city life.

“I have trained in Karura and know how it feels running through the forest,” said Wakiihuri. “I call upon other athletes to come up and experience what a unique environment we have there.”

Previously the forest made headlines for all the wrong reasons for instances of crime and land grabbing.

But that has changed after Friends of Karura Forest Association together with Kenya Forest have made a number of conservation efforts in securing the resource.

Adam Miller, G4S regional managing director, it was the demand to protect the resource that lured them to partner with the race organisers.

“This is one of the resource mobilisation activities we have come up with. The money raised will be sued to fund the conservation efforts.

“We appeal to other companies to support this noble initiative,” said Miller.

Bring along their children

Alice Macaire, the wife of the British High Commissioner to Kenya, who was the chief guest in the launch, said it will be a perfect opportunity for the people of Nairobi to bring along their children to run in support of protecting the forest.

“Bring out your children and let’s join hands in helping save this resource. Everyone has a chance to do something,” she said.

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