East Trail Sports Series Ltd has officially launched the inaugural Kilimambogo Trail Marathon 2026, a unique sporting event that combines trail running with environmental conservation under the theme “A Stride for a Cleaner Future”.
Speaking during the official media launch, Steven Mutinda, Event Director of the Kilimambogo Trail Marathon, described the marathon as than a race—it is a movement that demonstrates how sport can mobilize people to protect what they love. Participants will experience forest trails, rolling hills, breathtaking landscapes and panoramic views around Kilimambogo Mountain, home to Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park.
“I am not an environmental scientist, and today we celebrate those who dedicate their lives to that important work. We are sports experience organizers building a platform that enables experts, communities and participants to collaborate and make a significant impact—one that none of us can achieve independently,” said Mutinda.
The marathon will be held on 18 July 2026, with the race route winding through Ol Donyo Sabuk Town and the scenic trails of Kilimambogo Mountain inside Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park. Participants will experience forests, hills, rugged terrain and challenging elevations that showcase Kenya’s natural beauty while reinforcing the importance of conserving it.
Alongside the marathon, organizers will undertake River Athi clean-up activities and riparian tree planting in partnership with conservation stakeholders.
The initiative focuses on restoring a section of River Athi that borders Kiambu and Machakos counties near Kilimambogo. Through riparian tree planting and river clean-up activities, the project aims to stabilize riverbanks, reduce soil erosion, trap plastic waste, industrial run-off and debris, and improve water quality through natural filtration processes that benefit communities, agriculture, biodiversity and aquatic ecosystems. “We are not claiming to restore the entire River Athi,” Mutinda said.
“Instead, we are adopting one section in our inaugural edition, with the hope that our work inspires similar action elsewhere. Every stride will leave a positive footprint on our trail.”
During the launch, Paul Mutwii, Senior Vice President of Athletics Kenya, Director of Competitions and Chairman of Athletics Kenya Southern Region, officially gave the event Athletics Kenya’s endorsement, describing it as a green light for the inaugural marathon.
Mutwii noted that the organizers had met the required standards for staging a
marathon and commended East Trail Sports Series for developing an event that successfully combines athletics with environmental conservation.
He encouraged runners from across Kenya to participate, calling on athletes, fitness enthusiasts and families to come out and enjoy what promises to be an exciting day of sport, nature and community engagement.
He further observed that the Kilimambogo Trail Marathon will play an important role in promoting local athletes by providing another competitive platform for Kenyan runners while expanding opportunities in trail running.
The organizers are inviting elite runners, amateur runners, fitness enthusiasts,
adventure seekers, nature lovers, corporate teams and families to participate in the inaugural event.
The inaugural marathon is expected to host 1,500 participants, with registrations drawn from Nairobi, Central Kenya, the Rift Valley, Machakos, Kitui, Makueni and other regions. Participants include elite athletes, community runners and fitness enthusiasts, highlighting the marathon’s inclusive approach. They will be cheered on by an expected crowd of more than 3,000 spectators, creating a vibrant festival atmosphere.
Beyond the race itself, the event will feature a Festival Square hosting the opening and closing ceremonies, prize presentations, exhibition spaces and vendor booths, providing an engaging experience for participants, spectators and partners alike.
The organizing committee acknowledged the support of Athletics Kenya, Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park, Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), Little Kenya (Official Ticketing Partner), Seedballs Kenya, Tegla Loroupe Peace Foundation, Kibo Africa, Rocky Driving School (Official Road Safety Partner), First Aid Awareness, Perception Concepts, HAM International, Tunyce Media (Entertainment Partner), Del Monte Kenya, among other partners supporting the inaugural edition.
The Kilimambogo Trail Marathon contributes to Kenya’s national environmental agenda by supporting the country’s 15 Billion Trees by 2032 initiative and demonstrating how sport can become a practical platform for conservation.
Competition and prize money are also a key component of the event, motivating elite athletes, attracting wider participation, enhancing the prestige of the marathon and rewarding sporting excellence.
The marathon boasts a total prize purse of KSh 1.5 million, with the overall winners taking home KSh 250,000 each.
The Kilimambogo Trail Marathon 2026 will take place on 18 July 2026, inviting every participant to make every step count—not only towards the finish line, but towards a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable future.
“Together, every stride is a stride for a cleaner future.”