Message from Mt.Kenya Run Co-Chair

It is an honour and privilege for me to welcome you all to this edition of the Mt Kenya Mountain Running Championships that is a game changer in sports, cancer prevention and awareness and environmental conservation.

As MCIDC, we were tasked with promoting this event because of the importance of sustainable development in our strategic plan.

Like a hand to a glove, the Mt Kenya Mountain Running Championships fits in with our strategic focus areas that are;

1) Renewable energy

2) Infrastructure development

3) Agriculture value chain development

4) Tourism promotion.

The championships rallying call - “Challenging the heights” - epitomises world

marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge’s famous quote that “no human is limited.”

Additionally, it is an ode to the multiple feats we can achieve when we come together for a worthy cause such as the war against cancer and environmental degradation.

Indeed, as athletes navigate the course of Kenya’s highest mountain, they will be directly laying the foundation for years to come when cancer will no longer ravage many promising lives and the flora and fauna of the county will be the envy of many around the world.

For those in need of a weekend getaway or vacation destination, the Mt Kenya Mountain Running Championship is the place to be. The breathtaking snow-capped mountain, wildlife, lakes and spectacular views are the best optical nutrition one can hope for, away from the hustle and bustle of the city life. Additionally, it is an opportunity to come into contact with Lake Rutundu where Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton.

Meru County is the home to Purity Gitonga, the reigning Meru mountain running champion, and what better way to honour one of the country’s most renowned mountain runners than by pioneering mountain running.

In the long term, we dream of Mt Kenya Mountain Running Championships becoming a global event, accredited by World Athletics. We plan

to bid to host the World Mountain Running Championships in the county for which the technical committee is working to have the course certified and classified by relevant global authorities.

Special thanks to Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi for taking the lead as the patron in making this championship a reality. Our gratitude to organisations and individuals who have also come on board to partner with us in staging this event including, Ministry of Sports, Ministry of Tourism. Athletics Kenya (AK), Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and Kenya Forest Service (KFS), among others.

Felicity Biriri

Mt Kenya Run Co- Chair