After initial success, event organisers Blaze Sports Marketing Agency pulling out
all stops to ensure the 2026 run is unique and memorable.
Just hours after a successful second edition, organisers of the increasingly popular
Arabuko Elephant Trail Run are now raising the bar and setting sights on a bigger
run and party next year.
Robert Kiriago Obanyi, Chief Executive Officer of the Arabuko Elephant Trail Run
and Managing Director at the event’s organizing company, Blaze Sports Marketing
Agency, is pulling out all stops to ensure the 2026 run is unique, memorable and
continues to play a huge role in conservation.
Blaze Sports are also launching the “Arabuko Elephant Trail Run Village” that will
host an exclusive, invite-only award ceremony — a celebration of endurance,
community, and conservation.
And in a unique move, certificates made out of elephant dung will be awarded to
the various winners and run participants!
Arabuko Elephant Trail Run CEO Robert Kiriago Obanyi, who is also the Blaze Sports Marketing Agency MD (in black cap) with students of the Medical Training Centre (Kilifi) Environmental Club during tree planting on the sidelines of this year’s Arabuko Elephant Trail Run.
“At this special gathering, we’ll recognize our first-ever corporate challenge
winners and honor all our runners (our VIPs are our runners) who gave their all on
the trails. Each finisher will receive a certificate made from elephant dung paper,
symbolizing sustainability and resilience,” Kiriago announced on Thursday.
“This initiative will empower women in Arabuko through ASFADA, who will be
trained to produce the handmade paper — creating not only the certificates but
also eco-friendly Ramadhan, Diwali, Christmas and New Year cards. Look out for
them at your favourite mall and supermarket.
“By supporting them, we reduce pressure on the Arabuko Sokoke Forest
ecosystem and open up new, sustainable income opportunities,” Kiriago added.
Creativity and conservation
The event is also conjuring up trophies that will feature stands crafted from dead
wood from trees felled by elephants and collected at the Tsavo National Park,
showcasing how creativity and conservation can go hand-in-hand.
Medals made out of recycled metal will also be awarded.
And to inspire the next generation, the Arabuko Sokoke Forest is also launching a
school-based programme, beginning with the Kenya Medical Training College,
Kilifi, to engage youth in environmental stewardship and active living.
“This is a call to corporates and partners to join us in sponsoring this meaningful
event and helping us achieve our shared goals of empowerment, conservation,
and community,” Kiriago rallied.
At the 2025 Arabuko Sokoke Forest Run held at the forest in Kilifi on Saturday,
October 18, it was not about winning or clocking fast times but running to
promote conservation with the large turnout including Hywel George, Director at
Griot Limited, an environmental consultancy agency.
Griot were the event’s main sponsors for the second year running with other
partners being Pura Vida Sports Africa, Kenya Forest Service, ASFADA (CFA group),
Emergency 15, IFAW, Green Heart, SGA, Run Again, Tarajiwa Events, Davis &
Shirtliff, WellNest Pharmacy Lornah Sports Apparel, Friends of Arabuko-Sokoke
Forest and the Kenya Wildlife Service, among many others.
Foot-deep sand, 30-degree heat
“It was great to cross the line alongside my co-director @erickimori with national
manager Susan Onyango just behind. And a joy to have with us Christopher
Lomax from Participate World – I’m sure his business partner Tom Williams would
have been proud of his success in foot-deep sand and 30-degree heat,” George
posted after completing his six-kilometre run in which he placed an impressive
11 th overall.
“Also worth a mention is our lawyer Simon Mwangi who surprised us by winning
the 9k event. Simon Watson from Carlton Power Limited and Yves Keller from
First Climate were outstanding in the 20k.
“We have been proud to be sponsors of this event since it began in 2024 and look
forward to making and even greater community contribution in the years to
come. Thanks to everyone who participated and supported this event.”
Mwangi was elated by his own performance: “What an incredible experience!
Running through the forest gave me a deeper appreciation of what conservation
truly means — connecting with nature, the people, and the culture that make it
so special,” he said.
“Through this event, we not only celebrated our environment but also reaffirmed
our collective responsibility to protect it. Proud to have raised the conservation
flag high with Griot Ltd, and truly honoured to be part of such a monumental
initiative.”
Alice Wangoi, Executive Assistant to the Global Creative Director at Griot Limited,
also a climate advocate, described the run as “inspiring.”
Griot passionate about conservation
“It was an inspiring event set in the stunning Arabuko Sokoke Forest, dedicated to
wildlife conservation and community development. The run not only promoted
fitness but also emphasized the importance of preserving such incredible
biodiversity forests.
“I’m proud to share that Griot Ltd Consulting was the main sponsor of this
impactful event, organized by Blaze Sports Marketing. At Griot, we are passionate
about environmental conservation, and events like this align perfectly with our
mission to support sustainable ecosystems.
“Congratulations to everyone involved in organizing this remarkable event!
Looking forward to more efforts that foster conservation and community
empowerment.”
Kilifi County Forest Conservator, Ruwa K. Masha, whose office provided oversight
for the event, described the run as critical in “strengthening forest conservation
efforts and community engagement.”
“The primary objectives of this event remain raising awareness – to continue
sensitizing the public on the ecological importance of the Arabuko Sokoke Forest,
home to endangered species such as the African elephant and the Sokoke scops
owl; revenue generation – to support Kenya Forest Service’s revenue generation
through gate collections – and community engagement as local Community Forest
Associations will be actively involved in the planning and implementation of the
event, providing a platform for community involvement, environmental
education, and socio-economic benefits.”
San Francisco trainer, ladies impress
Celebrated San Francisco-based personal fitness trainer Nolan Meadows finished
13 th overall in the 20-kilometre run won by Newton Kamunge (race times didn’t
matter, completing the run for conservation did!) with Francis Omondi and
Reuben Tsuma second and third in the treacherous run contested under
sweltering conditions.
“Man, this is one of the toughest runs that I’ve had… I started out strong but the
terrain, the sun came out and it was beating me up. Never underestimate any
distance,” Meadows (nolmindfitness.com), who specializes in strength and bodyweight training, calisthenics, outdoor training, yoga, running, weight loss and
nutrition advice, posted in Instagram.
Griot’s George Hywel celebrates after finishing the 6km run.
“Last week, I did 34 kilometres and I felt it was no problem, but today the terrain
was sandy and it felt like I was running on the beach for a full 12 miles (about 20
kilometres)!
“I was cooked and started walking a little bit… I didn’t hydrate or fuel properly but
again this tested my mental toughness. I wanted to enjoy this run too. No
elephants today, but we still got a medal and a beautiful event ran by the
community. Thanks so much and God bless,” Meadows appreciated.
Dorothy Chepkurui stunned male contestants by coming home eighth as the first
lady competitor in the 20km run as Griot’s Simon Mwangi stayed ahead of the
ladies in the 9km run, winning the division ahead of the quartet of Lucy Holiday,
Stephanie Bounajuti, Priscilla Munga and Stella Uchi.
The ladies were also impressive in the 6km run won by Rotich Kelwon with Ruth
Chesire, Khalayi Clara, Beth Harison and Stephanie Van Poel in hot pursuit,
occupying positions 2-5.
About 100 runners in all tackled in the unique run organized along actual elephant
trails in an extraordinary experience dedicated to supporting wildlife conservation
and community development.
Among the corporates that entered the race was the International Fund for
Animal Welfare (IFAW) Kenya team that included Herman Ojowi, IFAW’s Logistics
and Administration Officer, who placed a commendable seventh overall in the
9km run.
