Kenyan mountain running and trail running have been on an ascendant path for several years now, and the 2026 Magical Kenya Mountain and Trails Series put on a show on January 17 with the fifth edition of the Barng’etuny Mountain Run in the Tinderet region of Nandi County, Kenya. The 21-kilometer senior race was just one part of a weekend of festivities that included the Taptengelei Cultural Festival, which offered a variety of opportunities for participants to engage with locals and learn about the culture. More than 2,000 participants were expected across various categories at the event.
While top Kenyan runners Michael Selelo Saoli and Janeth Chepngetich took home the elite wins in 1:19:07 and 1:32:28, respectively, they were just a small part of a weekend that showcased the growth of both Kenyan off-road running and tourism opportunities. The series, which started in 2025 and hosts events throughout the year, brings more to the communities it visits than a simple race.
Michael Selelo Saoli winning the 2025 Grand Parcours Vauban Mountain Trail. Photo: World Mountain Running Association/Jonathan Wyatt
The Magical Kenya Mountain and Trails Series operates in partnership with the Kenya Tourism Board and Kenya Athletics, with the goal of attracting both local and international tourists to various areas and showcasing the country’s wild landscapes and vibrant cultures. According to June Chepkemei, the CEO of the Kenya Tourism Board, “The Magical Kenya Mountain and Trails Series, now in its second year, is intentionally designed to leave a lasting impact in the destinations where it is hosted. Beyond the adventure experience, our focus is on capacity building, skills development, and delivering tangible economic benefits to local communities. Our goal is to inject around a thousand jobs into the sector to ensure that we also bridge the capacity gap that we have.”
Kenyan International Success
Last year’s Barng’etuny Mountain Run served as the Kenyan qualifying race for the 2025 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Canfranc, Spain. Kenyan runners had success at both the World Mountain Running Championships Uphill race, as well as the Up and Down race. In the men’s Uphill race, Kenya took second and third in the individual standings with Richard Omaya Atuya and Patrick Kipngeno, which resulted in a gold in the team competition. They also placed four runners in the top six in the Up and Down Race, with Philemon Kiriago leading the charge with the win. Paul Machoka, Ken Koros, and Selelo Saoli were second, fifth, and sixth, respectively, to bring home the team title. Meanwhile, Ruth Gitonga, Joyce Njeru, and Gloria Chebet placed second, fourth, and eighth in the women’s Up and Down race, also winning the team gold in the event.
Philemon Kiriago on his way to winning the 2025 World Mountain Running Championships Up and Down race. Photo: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi
Honorable Julius Melly, who represents the Tinderet region in the Parliament of Kenya, sees the potential of the series to develop both tourism and world-class athletes in the country. He said, “This region is the home of champions, producing world-beaters, and our goal is to tap into this to grow tourism and provide economic empowerment to communities in this region.” He encouraged residents of the area to partake in the opportunities brought by the events, and tourism in general, saying, “The benefits of tourism grow when communities fully participate.” The activities around the series have grown since last year, and this year, the festival also offered 4×4 adventures alongside mountain biking and hiking with the goal of bringing more people to the event. Last year’s series featured six events spanning January to December, taking place in four national parks.
If Kenyan runners have long been known as exceptional marathoners, events such as this one create the chance to find and nurture talent in mountain running and trail running as well, all the while bringing money and jobs to rural areas. With the next World Mountain and Trail Championships set for South Africa in October 2027, there is likely added motivation to spend the next year creating the best Kenyan off-road runners possible.
The rest of the 2026 Magical Kenya Mountain and Trails Series has not been announced yet, but we’ll update this article when it is.
Joyce Njeru, on her way to winning the 2025 Broken Arrow 23k, is just one of many Kenyan runners leaving a mark on the world stage. Photo: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi
