“Run Like a Kenyan…in Kenya!”

14 Day Trip

Join us for a Kenyan adventure – train in the US and travel to Kenya for an international marathon or half marathon and then relax on a guided sightseeing tour of Kenya!

Kenyans run just like you – one step at a time – see for yourself!

Have you dreamt of running a marathon or half marathon in Kenya?

Do you enjoy meeting and talking to local people and learning what it’s actually like to live in another country?

Do you want to step off the tour bus for a more authentic travel experience?

This trip to Kenya is special:

  • Before you leave, you can train with our Kimbia – Half Marathon training program.

  • You will run a Half Marathon or Marathon with Kenyan and international runners while helping support wildlife and habitat conservation and community development.

  • You will train with Kenyan runners and learn what life is like in the running capital of Kenya.

  • You will dance to local music and be entertained by Kenyans

  • You will have structured tours and free time to explore

  • At the end of the trip, you are free to stay longer.

  • You will have real fun in the bustling city of Nairobi, in the nearby National parks, and the running capital of Kenya, Iten.

Be ready to cry on the last day before departing to come back home.  

Book your place now. Our space is limited so please reserve your spot as soon as possible. There is a $1000 booking fee. 

Itinerary

Before you leave: You can train with our Kimbia – Half Marathon Training Program. Dr. Nyamora will help you formulate personalized goals and help you build up your endurance no matter what your current fitness level.

We will also provide an orientation to Kenya including a brief political history, a few key Swahili phrases, and other important tips on making the most out of your adventure. You may also wish to read books & articles or watch films from our list of recommended resources.

While you’re there:  In Nairobi, you will stay in a hotel, small lodge, apartment or house where you will enjoy home-cooked meals. We will spend several days getting acclimated and recovering from jet lag, while also doing some light tours of Nairobi. You will run the marathon in a beautiful game reserve, spend a day recovering, and then travel to Iten, the running capital of Kenya where you will stay in a runners training camp. You’ll return to Nairobi for one more day before flying back home.

When you return: We will meet one more time to share photos and celebrate our adventure. You’ll already be looking forward to your next trip!

14-day trip

All tours are optional. There are several options on most days and you are welcome to join us for some or all options or take time to explore (or rest) on your own.

Day 1 – Arrive

  • Arrive at Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi and be transported to your lodging to relax and enjoy dinner.

Day 2 – Visit and Adjust

  • Short training run

  • Visit the Nairobi National Museum – See the newly renovated museum with exhibits dedicated to Kenya’s political history, natural history, and rich artistic history

Nairobi National Museum

Depending on our time we may add a visit to the following place – but this is tentative:

  • Visit Kwani Trust: A literary network committed to developing creative writing. We will have the opportunity to see the work they do and purchase books directly from them. They have some wonderful publications.

  • Dinner with our group or with friends

Nairobi families are always ready to give you a memorable welcome and hospitality

Day 3 – Visit and Adjust

  • Short training run

  • Tour around Nairobi town and learn to navigate transportation services.

  • Kuona Arts Trust – Tour the studios of several contemporary visual artists at work.

OR

  • Go-Down Arts Center – This exciting compound is the home of multi-media artists and classes – visit artists in their studios, see film classes, and you might even catch the acrobatic group or hear a musician rehearsing

OR

  • Visit with LGBT activists from GALCK – the Gay & Lesbian Coalition of Kenya – Hear about the ups and downs of life as a LGBT African

  • Dinner with our group or with friends

Day 4

  • Short training run

  • Kazuri Beads Factory – Visit this world-famous bead factory and learn about how this work benefits single mothers and their families. Shop – or just admire these “beautiful little objects” (the translation of the Swahili word Kazuri)

  • Bomas of Kenya- Traditional dances from the many different cultural groups in Kenya

  • Dinner out alone or with family

Day 5 – Safari & Rest

  • We will visit the Nairobi National Park for our Safari, which is the only protected area in the world close to a capital city.

Nairobi city center

Day 6 – Rest & Travel

  • Travel to Marathon Location – You will love the countryside scenery. Then we will rest and relax in preparation for the marathon.

Option 1: Days 7 - 12

Day 7 – Tutakimbia! (Meaning we will run)

  • Half-Marathon/Marathon – Run, walk and finish.

  • We will then travel to Iten, the running capital. If the last finishers are done late, we may spend the night in a town on the way to Iten.

  • Rest and settle in.

Day 8 – Iten

  • Bike around town and see more of Iten and the surrounding areas

  • Optional Workout at the training camp - run on the track or workout at their gym or in an organized group workout and then lounge around at the pool.

  • Talk to runners, staff and other residents and settle in

  • Relax

Day 9 – Iten

  • Visit Kamariny Stadium for the Kenyan track workout in the morning and run, talk and watch the Kenyan runners train. This is the main track where all the Kenyan runners living in Iten train.

  • Visit Kamariny Primary School in Iten or Visit St. Patrick’s High School Iten – the high school that has produced many of Kenya’s top runners http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Patrick's_High_School_(Iten,_Kenya)

  • Optional workout at the training camp in the afternoon

  • Optional walk around town

Day 10 – Finish up at Iten and leave for Kakamega

  • Optional Workout at the Training Camp

  • See Eldoret Town

  • Leave for Kakamega

Day 11 – Kakamega/Kakamega Forest

  • See Kakamega

  • Visit Kakamega Forest

Day 12 – Wrap up in Kakamega and return to Nairobi

  • Return to Nairobi

Option 2: Days 7-12

Day 7 – Tutakimbia! (Meaning we will run)

  • Half-Marathon/Marathon – Run, walk and finish. We return to Nairobi for the night with family.

Day 8 - Recuperate

  • Visit some of the neighborhoods in Nairobi, and participate in a favorite activity of most Kenyans – a trip to the mall!

  • Maasai Market – Visit this open-air market and negotiate the price for souvenirs and traditional handcrafted items.

Day 9 – Travel to the coast

  • Travel to Mombasa or Kilifi (optional bus or air travel). If you choose to travel by bus you will see more of the Kenyan Landscape and maybe a few wild animals.

Day 10 – Enjoy the luxury of Kenya’s Indian Ocean coast

  • Relax in Mombasa or Kilifi at a premier resort – Enjoy the beach, book a glass-bottom boat or snorkeling tour

Day 11 – Enjoy Mombasa or Kilifi!

  • Enjoy Mombasa’s (or Kilifi’s) beaches, or take part in an optional tour to the Kaya Kinondo sacred forest or Haller Park

  • Enjoy Mombasa’s beaches, or take part in an optional tour of this historic city

Day 12 – Enjoy Mombasa!

  • Enjoy Mombasa’s beaches, or take part in an optional tour of this historic city

  • Return to Nairobi

One of the best hotels in Kenya

Day 13 – Fit in your last day of tours or relaxation in Nairobi

  • Giraffe Center –Learn about Kenya’s wildlife and get to experience what a giraffe tongue feels like!

  • Dinner out alone or with family.

Day 14 – Depart

  • Fly back - The worst day has come and we have to fly back home to share our memories with friends and family

Optional Pieces to Include for an extra cost:

  • Carnivore – Eat at this world-famous restaurant featuring nyama choma (roasted meat) cuisine. Sample traditional favorites and a few unexpected ones! If you like to eat, make sure you are very hungry.