By Joyce Otieno

On July 27, as part of its mission to cultivate a sense of belonging in the community and a desire to be of service to it, the university held its inaugural half marathon themed "Miles for Education.” This impactful initiative aimed at leveraging the power of community unity to raise funds that will provide financial support to students in need, helping them continue and complete their education without interruption.

Featuring 21 km, 10 km, and 5 km fun run, this event brought together close to 1,700 participants, featuring students, staff, alumni, faculty, friends, family, corporates, and the general public. From the planning boards in staff offices to the last cheer at the finish line, this was a campus-wide effort that stirred hearts. Roads were mapped into race routes, water stations were manned by dedicated volunteers, and corporate tents rose as the dawn broke. Every detail, every banner, every cheer was soaked in intention.

From as early as 4:30 am, the campus was buzzing with excitement and anticipation as volunteers, cheerleaders, runners, and various supporters of the cause streamed into the compound, all eager to help transform lives through education in any way they could.

The main event took place on campus grounds, with the race route extending along the Northern Bypass. The races rolled out with precision, 21 km at 6:50 a.m., 10 km at 7:15 a.m., CEO and Corporate Challenge at 7:30 a.m., and the 5 km Fun Run at 8:15 a.m. Out on the race route, titles faded away. Faculty, staff, students, and the public moved together as one community, running side by side, equal in stride and spirit.

The day also featured an award ceremony for the top five men and women winners in the 21km race. Zacharia Kiriki won the men’s 21km race, while Catherine Syokau claimed first place in the women’s category. Both winners received KES 150,000 each. In both categories, second through fifth place finishers received KES 80,000, KES 40,000, KES 20,000, and KES 10,000, respectively.

The USIU-Africa Half Marathon was more than just a race; it was a demonstration of what community impact is all about. “This is the spirit of USIU-Africa, where no dream is distant, and no stride too small when we move together,” said Prof. Mwenda Ntarangwi, Vice Chancellor.

Furthermore, the event resonated with many members of both the internal and external community, showing that it came at the right time for the right cause. “The race wasn’t just about pushing limits for a greater cause. The persistence I witnessed taught me that when the goal is noble, every step becomes a statement of hope and purpose,” stated Anastacia Kathambi, a fourth-year pharmacy student.

Beyond the race, there was the behind-the-scenes team that coordinated, guided, motivated, and juggled a variety of roles. They saw the event beyond the university calendars and Happening This Week (an internal newsletter for weekly activity updates). Watching everything fall into place and boxes being ticked on the day of the race brought an unspoken fulfilment to them. “The coordination among the students, faculty, staff, and partners was amazing, and the inclusion of the kids was so magical, it’s an event worth being proud of,” said Esther Kairungu, a member of the Happiness Committee. Sharing the same sentiment, Jeremiah Musoka, the Branding officer at the Strategic Marketing and Communications Division, said, “I’ve branded many events, but this was totally different, the course was definite!”

This wasn’t just a one-time event; it is a lived legacy of action, of hope, and of running for something greater than normal. Speaking after the event, Geoffrey Gikungu, International Business Administration student and the Inaugural USIU-Africa Half Marathon LOC Chair, highlighted that this stands as a noble event with a greater cause that will be remembered for a long time. “People from all walks of life came and not only ran, but loved what was created. The energy was unmatched and unbelievable,” he concluded.