Kenya’s Next Generation of Champions Emerges Through Community Running

Children line up for the start of the community run as Athletics Kenya President Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Jackson Tuwei and Barnaba Korir address them at Lemolok Primary School. (Photo: Stanley Magut)

Kenya’s next generation of running stars is taking shape in the villages. On February 21, Athletics Kenya President and World Athletics Vice President, Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Jackson Tuwei, hosted the Kesses Community Run at Lemolok Primary School, his home village, bringing together hundreds of children, parents, and teachers to revive community running and ignite a love for athletics.

Reviving the Roots of Kenyan Athletics

“History shows that athletics in Kenya started in the community,” Tuwei said. “Early runners had little preparation, encouraged only by small rewards and recognition. That early sense of achievement inspired generations, and we want to recreate that excitement and learning today.”

The event drew participants of all ages, from toddlers taking their first running steps to teens testing their speed and stamina, and even parents and elderly community members joining in the races. Their participation added colour, energy, and a sense of celebration to the competition, which also featured a range of material awards for participants, recognizing effort and encouraging friendly competition. Families and teachers cheered on the young athletes, turning the race into a lively festival of sport, health, and community engagement.

Junior Camps: The Pipeline to Global Champions

Barnaba Korir, Athletics Kenya youth development lead, highlighted the long-term vision behind the initiative and the role of AK’s junior camps in producing world-class athletes. “Our junior camps have nurtured talent for years,” Korir said. “Many of Kenya’s current global champions, whether in middle- or long-distance running, started at these camps, learning the basics of training, discipline, and competition at a young age. The Kesses Community Run continues that pathway, giving children the first step toward realizing their potential.”

Korir emphasized that Athletics Kenya’s community programs go beyond competition. “The goal is to inspire communities to organize events, develop local talent, and create a culture where sport is part of everyday life. These initiatives help children discover their potential, whether in sprints, middle-distance, long-distance, or field events,” he said.

Building a Lifelong Passion for Athletics

The Kesses Community Run is part of a broader strategy by Athletics Kenya to revive grassroots running across the country. Tuwei noted that these initiatives have a ripple effect: when children run, families and entire communities are energized, creating shared joy, learning experiences, and health benefits. “Events like this remind us that athletics is not just about elite competition, it’s about building strong, healthy, and engaged communities,” he said.

Looking ahead, Athletics Kenya plans to gradually introduce elite athletes to these community runs, allowing young participants to witness high-level competition and gain mentorship from the country’s top runners. Early engagement, starting from ages 5 to 15, ensures children find the events they excel in and develop a lifelong passion for athletics.

As Kenya continues to celebrate its global dominance in running, initiatives like the Kesses Community Run and the AK junior camps that have trained past champions show that the country’s next generation of stars may very well emerge from its villages, where athletics is more than a sport—it’s a family celebration, a community tradition, and a stepping stone to the world stage.