By Yvonne Kageha
On July 26, USIU-Africa hosted the second edition of the annual USIU-Africa Half Marathon, bringing together close to 3,000 participants, in an effort to leverage the power of community unity to raise funds to support needy students at the University. These participants were drawn from students, staff, alumni, faculty, corporate, and the community at large. Held under the theme: Miles for Education, the event served as one of the institution’s initiatives aimed at facilitating Financial Aid Accessibility. USIU-Africa invests in potential and talent, making quality education accessible to all. Students have an opportunity to access over 30 financial aid programs, including partial and full scholarships, sports scholarships, Vice Chancellor’s grant, on-campus work-study opportunities, etc.
Speaking during the event, Prof. Mwenda Ntarangwi, the Vice Chancellor, appealed for more support for the Miles for Education initiative. “We want to support students who may for any reason, are not able to afford or complete their studies,” he said. The success of this event stemmed from the good relationships that the university continues to foster with its various stakeholders and the partnerships it has built with various institutions spread across diverse industries. As such, in addition to the runners, the university received donations from over 50 leading partners and supporters who either contributed financially or channeled their resources towards the event, aligning with the marathon’s mission.
Last year’s race not only set the tone and marked a significant milestone in the university’s history, having been officially sanctioned by Athletics Kenya (AK) and the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK), but it also further cemented its professionalism and legitimacy, setting it apart as a competitive race with the potential of attracting elite athletes in the years to come. This year’s race has witnessed the fulfillment of this potential as elite runners joined the race. Athanus Kioko, the 2025 Los Angeles Marathon silver medalist, and Mary Munanu, the 2025 Ostrava Golden Marathon Champion, took part in the half-marathon, where they emerged as champions in the men’s and women’s categories, respectively. Additionally, Kelvin Kemboi and Nympha Kiteta came in second in their respective categories. Next year’s race is expected to draw in more elite runners.
The success of the USIU-Africa Half Marathon is a testament that the university is committed to ensuring that all students can access quality education within the expected timelines, with as minimal disruptions due to financial constraints as possible. Although this year’s half marathon has come to an end, the university is still open to receiving donations geared towards this worthy cause.
We invite everyone to join and be part of the reason a student in need gets to finish their studies uninterrupted because of financial constraints.
For more information, visit: https://www.usiu.ac.ke/halfmarathon/
For inquiries, please contact halfmarathon@usiu.ac.ke
