On 5th September 2026, the Strathmore Sports Complex came alive for the 6th Strathmore Annual Run. More than 3,000 runners and walkers took to the course, joined by families, students, alumni, partners, athletes, businesses and volunteers.
Six editions in, the Run has grown into a movement, creating a lasting legacy and building community.
What began as the VC Run in 2021, with roughly 200 participants, has grown into one of Strathmore University Foundation’s flagship fundraising initiatives, supported by more than 60 sponsors and partners. Its purpose has remained constant: to mobilise resources for scholarships and the Strathmore Endowment Fund, helping more students access and complete their university education.
A University-Wide Effort
The success of the 2026 Run was the result of collaboration across the Strathmore community. Schools, faculties, departments, staff, students, management, the University Council and external partners all played a part.
Teams from security, medical services, administration, communications, catering and maintenance worked alongside the Students’ Council, The Strathmore University Foundation, Corporate Communications and Alumni Relations to bring the event together.
Departments also formed teams and mobilised participants through their networks, turning the Run into a truly university-wide effort.
A Run for Everyone
The course brought together people of different ages, abilities and backgrounds, united by a common cause.
This year’s Run featured an inspiring presence from the Henry Wanyoike Foundation, with marathon champion Henry Wanyoike taking part alongside fellow elite athletes Tegla Loroupe and Abel Kirui. Ferdinand Omanyala and the Omanyala Foundation also supported the initiative, while Athletics Kenya officials helped ensure a professionally managed race experience.
A 71-year-old participant reminded us that there is no age limit to movement, while children enjoyed the vibrant kiddie corner, complete with a bouncing castle, painting and other activities. Families ran and played together, while participants living with disabilities joined thousands of others on the course.
Beyond the Finish Line
Around the race, the Run Village created an experience of its own.
More than 50 partners showcased their products and services, while partners brought experiences, products and expertise directly to participants. From complimentary ice cream, yoghurt and bananas to wellness experiences, food, prizes and hospitality packages, the Village became a space for connection, discovery and celebration.
Wellness was also central to the day. The Strathmore Medical Centre provided recovery and physiotherapy support, while BFit offered cold plunges and massages at the finish line, reinforcing the importance of recovery and holistic wellbeing.
Running Towards a Sustainable Future
The 2026 Run also took meaningful steps towards becoming a more sustainable event.
Electric vehicles from the Electric Mobility Association of Kenya and ECTA Kenya Group (Subaru Kenya) supported event logistics, while Little Cabs showcased hybrid vehicles. Pearl Eco Solutions and Ol Pejeta Conservancy also contributed to the sustainability agenda.
For the first time, organisers tracked and reported the event’s carbon footprint, making environmental responsibility part of the conversation around how the Run is planned and delivered.
Partnership in Action
The Run demonstrated that partnership takes many forms.
Some partners contributed financial support. Others provided products, services, expertise, equipment, experiences, platforms or people. Together, they created an ecosystem that extended far beyond race day.
Financial institutions, corporates, FMCG brands, healthcare and wellness organisations, sports foundations, sustainability partners, media houses, hospitality and travel companies, businesses and University departments all contributed to making the sixth edition possible.
This is what partnership looks like in practice: different organisations bringing what they can to a shared purpose and, collectively, creating greater opportunity for others.
Alumni Giving Back
Alumni have also become an important part of the Run’s story.
Over 100 returned as runners, donors and supporters, connecting their own Strathmore journeys with the opportunity to help another student begin theirs. Their involvement represents a powerful cycle of giving: those who once benefited from an opportunity helping to create that opportunity for someone else.
That spirit is now reaching beyond Kenya. The Strathmore Alumni New York Chapter is championing plans for a New York edition of the Run in 2027, taking the spirit of the Strathmore Annual Run to an international community.
The Impact Beyond Race Day
The significance of the Strathmore Annual Run cannot be measured only by the number of people at the starting line.
Its impact lives in the student who receives a scholarship. In the donor who chooses to give. In the alumnus who returns to support another generation. In the child who discovers a love for sport. In the business that connects with a new customer. In the volunteer who experiences service in action.
Ultimately, the Run creates opportunity through collective action.
It connects education with equality, health with community, business with social impact, and individual generosity with institutional change. It reflects a commitment to advancing quality education, good health and wellbeing, reduced inequalities, partnerships and poverty reduction.
A Legacy in Motion
The Run connects education with equality, health with community, business with social impact, and individual generosity with institutional change. It reflects a commitment to advancing quality education, good health and wellbeing, reduced inequalities, partnerships and poverty reduction.
Ultimately, your support moves Strathmore University closer to a transformative goal of becoming a fully Need-Blind institution, a place where financial circumstances never stand between a bright mind and a world-class education.
Get connected to our initiatives. → https://donations.strathmore.edu/
