The West Kenya Union Conference (WKUC) of the Seventh-day Adventist Church successfully hosted its second annual run on February 15 on the Kendu Adventist Hospital grounds. The event brought together members, leaders, youth, and community partners in a vibrant celebration of health, unity, and mission, leaders said.
The first edition of the run was held in 2024 at the Greater Rift Valley Conference, marking the beginning of what has become an annual tradition promoting fitness and well-being across that church territory, organizers said.
The colorful event offered activities for all age groups, organizers explained. Participants took part in the 6-kilometer (3.7-mile) and 10-kilometer (6.2-mile) races, alongside shorter track events including the 2-kilometer (1.2-mile) race, 500-meter sprint, 100-meter dash, and the thrilling 4×100-meter relays. Fun games such as tug-of-war, bottle race, egg race, and sack race added to the excitement, drawing enthusiastic participation and laughter from both competitors and spectators, hospital leaders reported
The WKUC comprises several local conferences and fields across the region. Leaders from these entities attended the run, led by union president Samuel Misiani, along with executive secretary Japheth Ochorokodi and associate treasurer Jared Cheruiyot. Conference and field presidents, departmental directors, pastors, treasurers, and institutional leaders were also present. “Their presence underscored the event’s significance in promoting the Adventist Church’s health message and fostering fellowship throughout the territory,” event organizers said.
While participants competed in various races, the run’s primary goal was to promote fitness and healthy living rather than to determine winners. The focus was on participation and well-being, even as some runners finished ahead of others.
According to organizers, such an approach reflects the Adventist Church’s global focus on wholistic health, including temperance, physical wellness, and community outreach. The presence of Tumaini Action CBO, a partner of the Kenya Lake Conference dedicated to combating alcoholism and drug abuse, further reinforced the preventive health focus and commitment to social transformation, they shared.
The event was honored by the presence of Tecla Chemabwai, the first Kenyan woman to reach an Olympic semifinal and currently a lecturer of physical education and sports science. Wycliffe Juma, a Kenyan soldier and accomplished marathon runner, also participated, completing the 10-kilometer (6.2-mile) race in an impressive 28 minutes.
The run was sponsored by the WKUC, Ecobank, and Adventist Sacco, highlighting the growing collaboration between faith-based institutions and financial organizations in supporting community-centred initiatives. The event concluded with an award ceremony, expressions of gratitude from union leadership, and a commitment to host the next run at the University of Eastern Africa Baraton (UEAB).
