One hour and ten minutes, the stopwatch clocked as I crossed the finish line of the 10km race in the inaugural Kitui Green Run, last Sunday.
My running mate, Nicholas Nyamori, an avid marathoner, had already finished his race and quenched his thirst. As I got a finisher's medal from one of the gracious ladies at the line, I could barely whisper a word, too tired and gasping for air.
The run was punishing to the body, yet so fulfilling to the spirit, knowing that my effort and those of the more than 1,000 runners had contributed to building dams, water pans and gutters for thousands of needy households.
For an old geezer who hardly runs, Nicholas gave me that knowing look and said, “You’ve done well for yourself”.
But really? Now, consider that the overall champion, Shadrack Kipyegon, had finished the 21km race in 1 hour, 8 minutes, to clinch the Sh250,000 prize money.
The lady winner, Christine Kioko, did it in 1 hour, 17 minutes, to claim the same prize. That’s the gulf between elite marathon runners and the average runner. Kitui County, often billed as Kenya’s second spiritual home of world athletics beaters in the Eastern region after Rift Valley, is semi-arid land, but is slowly changing this age-long narrative thanks to new environmental conservation efforts and athletics.
The region, whose athletics stars have put Kenya on the global map, would soon emerge among environmental hubs that could steer Kenya’s bid to attain 10 per cent of forest cover, a United Nations Environmental Programme requirement.
Kitui is home to a host of athletics big shots, among them race ambassador and professional marathoner Alexander Mutiso, former world marathon record holder Patrick Makau, former world junior 3000m champion Christine Muyanga, and former world 3000m under-20 silver medalist Patrick Mutunga.
And it did disappoint last Sunday as Kipyegon stormed to victory in the men’s 21km race, posting an impressive 1:08:30 at Ithookwe Stadium. Robert Keter finished second in 1:08:52, while Raymond Cheruiyot secured third place in 1:09:06 in a tightly contested race that attracted hundreds of athletes.
In the women’s category, Kioko delivered a commanding performance to win the 21km race in 1:17:00, leading the field in an event that blended athletic excellence with environmental conservation.
The run brought together runners, residents and stakeholders under the theme of promoting sustainability through sport. Beyond the competition, the half-marathon aimed to support a greener future and advance water conservation initiatives in Kitui, highlighting the growing role of sports as a platform for environmental awareness and community transformation.
Organisers said every stride taken by participants contributed to a larger goal of protecting natural resources and inspiring collective action towards sustainable development. The race patron, Dr Isaac Kalua Green, said the run was not just about competing but a commitment to support households with the precious commodity.
“This is a collective statement of purpose and a demonstration of what can be achieved when communities, institutions, development partners and citizens come together around a shared vision for a more resilient future,” said Dr Kalua.
The communities of Changwithya West, Changwithya East, Kitui Township and the neighbouring counties had the privilege of hosting the runners.
“We gather with the recognition that the challenges facing our communities, particularly in Kenya’s arid and semi-arid regions, require solutions that are practical, inclusive and sustainable. We also gather with the conviction that ordinary citizens, working together, possess an extraordinary capacity to transform their circumstances,” he added.
Race chairperson Julia Kalakwe said the half-marathon will be an annual event to raise awareness of the importance of access to clean water for every household.
“The journey that brings us here today began with a simple but important question: how can we harness the energy, visibility and unifying power of sport to address one of the most pressing development challenges facing our communities - water security? That question emerged from the lived realities of the people of Kitui,” she said.
Chief guest, President William Ruto’s advisor on women right’s Harriette Chiggai said continued support and provision of water would create safe homes and safe spaces for women and girls to prosper. “This initiative by Green Africa Foundation and partners is in line with the government’s plan to plant 15 billion trees to conserve our environment,” she said.
As we journeyed back to Nairobi, I could not help but marvel at the scenic hills on either side of the road and a few rivers cutting across the county.