Trail runners who’ve found freedom, peace in mountains and mud

A growing community of Kenyans is trading city chaos for mountain trails, turning running and hiking into therapy, lifestyle, and enterprise.

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Not long ago, hiking and trail running across Kenya’s forests, valleys, and mountains were viewed as pastimes for foreigners or thrill-seeking middle-aged enthusiasts. But more Kenyans, some in their 20s and 30s, are now turning these into their favourite weekend rituals.

David Njema is one of them. He says being outdoors gives him a kind of therapy that few other experiences can ever match. “Trail running [which is running through forests, mountains, or valleys] and mountain climbing are therapeutic. I get to reflect, pray, and learn that nothing is impossible.”

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