USIU-Africa Half-Marathon lives up to expectations amid pomp and colour

The inaugural USIU-Africa Half-Marathon did far more than just send runners to the start line—it ignited a powerful movement of unity, philanthropy, and endurance.

USIU-Africa Vice Chancellor, Mwenda Ntarangwi, hailed Sunday’s race as a resounding success, not just for its athletic triumphs, but for the lasting bonds it forged between the university and its broader community.

Held on Sunday at the university’s main campus, the debut event drew over 1,700 participants across three race categories: 21km, 10km and 5km.

The races featured everyone from elite athletes and students to corporate leaders and fun runners. The event was flagged off in staggered starts from as early as 5:30 am for the 21km, 6:30 am for the CEO and Corporate race and 7:30 am for the 5km fun run.

The men’s 21km crown went to George Waiyaki, 34, who crossed the finish line in 1:03:10. “The race was good,” Waiyaki said after crossing the finish line.

“The course was excellent and the organisation was very smooth. I’ve been training in Limuru every day for the past two months in preparation, and now I feel ready for bigger competitions.”

He noted that the weather was a bit cold but ideal for long-distance running.  “This was a good test. I’m happy to have taken part,” he said. In the women’s category, Catherine Syokau delivered a strong finish and expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to race.

“I am thankful for this race. The course was good, and the organisation was excellent,” said Syokau. “I encourage more women to train, build their endurance, and take part in events like this. I’ll take about a month to recover, then decide on my next race.”

“What inspired us to launch this Half-Marathon is the desire to bring the entire community into something meaningful that everyone could participate in, regardless of age or background,” said Ntarangwi.

Participants in the 10km CEO and Corporate Challenges brought a competitive but collaborative spirit, while the 5km Fun Run injected a festive, all-inclusive vibe around campus. Among the Corporate runners was Radio Africa Group’s very own Group Editorial Director, Paul Ilado.

Prize money totalling Sh600,000 was awarded equally among the top five finishers in both men’s and women’s 21km races.  Winners bagged Sh150,000, with Sh80,000 for second place and Sh40,000, Sh20,000 and Sh10,000 for third to fifth places, respectively.

Special recognition was also given to top-performing corporate teams, and all participants who crossed the finish line received commemorative awards. Beyond the podium, the race’s true heartbeat was its fund-raising mission.

With the theme “Miles for Education”, the event sought to bolster the university’s Financial Aid Programme, aimed at supporting students at risk of dropping out due to financial hardship.

“It’s about supporting students who may not afford their fees, and with the theme Miles for Education, every step taken is a step toward changing a life,” said Ntarangwi.

“Running kilometres means more than fitness,” Ntarangwi said. “Some people gave in cash, others gave in kind—like glucose and hydration—and all those miles run were acts of generosity. This is part of the spirit of educate your own.”

“We have a fund, like a pot of money, that helps students continue with their education even when their families can’t sustain the fees,” he explained. “A student might be in their third or fourth year and suddenly face a financial hurdle. This initiative feeds into that fund, increasing our ability to help.”

While the final tally of funds raised was yet to be released, Ntarangwi was optimistic about the impact, stating that both “fund-raising and friend-raising” would be used as key success indicators.

“It’s not just the number of people who ran, but how many of them we stay connected to after this event. That’s how we know we are building a community that cares about the same goals,” he said. “This is a relationship, not a one-time thing.”

Ntarangwi described the moment as deeply personal. “What this means to me is unity,” he said. “Success isn’t always about the number of people, it’s about the direction we’re pulling in. If those of us who have given freely, with no strings attached, we will build a better society for all.”

He added that the university leadership, including members of the organising committee, would reconvene to assess the race’s outcome and refine plans for future editions. 

“We’ll sit down with our LOC and see how to channel what we’ve raised effectively. We are committed to coming back again and again because the need is not an event—it’s ongoing,” he said.

USIU-Africa Chancellor Dennis Awori, who presided over the event, lauded the initiative and hinted at an even bigger future.

“The event has turned out very well. The numbers have exceeded our expectations,” he said. “The passion and enthusiasm of all participants have been very rewarding. Next time we will send the word out earlier so that more people can join in.”

Ntarangwi affirmed that the Half-Marathon would become a fixture in the university calendar. “Having the right race directors and partners lends credibility, and one day we hope to discover a future champion from this very platform,” he said.

Looking ahead, Ntarangwi said the university was already reflecting on lessons learned and future improvements.

“What we’ve started today is not a race—it’s a journey,” he said. “We want to keep coming back to this. And we’re grateful to all the partners and friends who believed in us this first time.”