They meet up by 6.30 am on Saturdays in Nairobi’s Karen. As the early birds gather, there is laughter, light stretching and the rhythmic bounce of sneakers hitting the pavement. The energy is electric—part anticipation, part camaraderie.
As Gen Zs might call it “vibes and inshallah”, these running clubs have become the new social place where Kenyans push their limits. Some are serious runners, others social joggers and a few of us somewhere in between. Some with headphones lost in music or podcasts, others, like me, finding solace in conversation while in motion.
For many, these runs are not just about fitness — they are about finding themselves.
Charlie Kamau is one of them. Six years ago, he found himself at a breaking point. Grieving the loss of a loved one, he slipped into depression and turned to alcohol to cope. His days blurred together in a haze—until he found running.
“I quit alcohol five years ago, and when you quit something, you need a replacement. Running was my replacement, and it has worked magic,” Charlie tells BD Life.
For him, running is not just a physical activity. It has become his lifeline.
“I was in depression, but running is the best therapy for me. I still go to therapy, but running is the mother of them all. When I’m under pressure, when I’m angry, when I’m happy—I run. I always have a reason to run. To celebrate, to escape, to reflect, or to decide,” he says.
“And you find answers on the trails,” he continues. “By the time you’re done, you want to dash to your car, grab your phone or notebook, and write everything down before the adrenaline fades,” he laughs.
Charlie Kamau, a fitness enthusiast who found a lifeline after he discovered running.
Photo credit: Pool
Before running, Charlie had been deeply involved in football.
“After football, I’d hit the gym. But then my friends started running in Nairobi’s Karura Forest. I’d see them and ask, ‘Why are you guys running?’ They’d tell me, ‘Charlie, just come. It’s fun.’ That’s how I joined Karura Running Club. It was good peer pressure,” he says.
What started as curiosity turned into an addiction.
“Running is very personal. In football, you're constantly communicating. Running is quiet. You can run with someone for two hours and not say a word, but you’re still pushing each other. It’s therapeutic silence.”
Over time, the club evolved from a fitness space into a life-changing community.
“I’ve been in football all my life, and football has its own way of connecting people. But running is different. In our club, we’ve got people from all walks of life—different cultures, different backgrounds. It’s all-inclusive. It’s not just about the run—it’s about the community.”
Running has brought a new kind of discipline into Charlie’s life.
“I’ve learned the art of spending time with myself. I’m naturally extroverted, but running has taught me to enjoy my own company. It’s now part of my lifestyle.”
He runs at least four times a week.
“In a bad week, it’s four times. During the week, I do short distances—10 to 15 kilometres. Saturdays are for long runs—up to 25 kilometres depending on my schedule.”
Running has even taken him across borders. “We’ve done international runs—not the big-name marathons yet, but we’re getting there. We’ve run the Kilimanjaro Marathon, Kigali last year—and we’re going back in June. In May, we’re off to Arusha for the Cape to Cairo Marathon. And in October, Cape Town for the Sanlam Marathon.”
From gym girlie to road runner
Hullda Adhiambo is another one. If you had told Hullda a few years ago that running would transform her social life, she would have laughed it off. A proud gym girlie, her world revolved around CrossFit, weightlifting and pre-dawn workouts with dumbbells and deadlifts.
Then came the Covid-19 lockdowns. Gyms shut down, and her routine came crashing to a halt.
“I had to find something else because I was so used to waking up and heading straight to the gym. Running became my new outlet,” she says.
Hullda Adhiambo, a gym guru who transformed her social life with a simple run.
Photo credit: Pool
At first, it was solo pavement pounding near her parents' home. But as lockdowns lifted, she sought connection and found it in a running club—‘We Run’.
“I’ve been with ‘We Run’ for two years now. My first day was amazing. I had no idea what to expect, but everyone was so welcoming. After our run, we had a post-run breakfast, introductions, conversations—it was such a vibe.”
For Hullda, what began as a substitute for gym workouts has become a lifestyle. “You meet people from everywhere—even in your own career field. I’m in cybersecurity, and I’ve met fellow tech professionals. We’ve built connections beyond the track. It’s networking—but without the stiffness of a boardroom.”
She never thought of herself as a runner, but now, she is hooked. “There’s something addictive about running. You track your pace, and every time you want to do better. It pushes you—not just in fitness but in life.”
That discipline has bled into her career too.
“My job demands constant learning because tech evolves so fast. The discipline I apply in running—showing up, pushing through discomfort—is the same I apply at work.”
Unlike the gym, running clubs do not demand subscriptions. “You don’t pay to be part of the club. The only costs come with optional extras like yoga. Otherwise, you just show up.”
This accessibility is key to their appeal, especially among young professionals looking for more meaningful ways to spend their time.
“It’s not like going to a bar. This is good peer pressure—you see people waking up early to run, and it motivates you.”
A social life reimagined
Anne Anyango is your classic Nairobi girl—drawn to aesthetics, inspired by social media, and always looking for new experiences. She never thought she’d be a runner—until she saw a TikTok video of a running club.
“I wasn’t inspired by running itself. I just wanted to meet people and expand my social circles. So I showed up.”
That first run? Terrifying.
“I was nervous. I thought, what if I don’t fit in? What if I’m too slow? But when I got there, everyone was so kind, so welcoming. It didn’t feel like a competition.”
A year later, her social life has transformed.
Anne Anyango poses for a photo after a weekend run.
Photo credit: Pool
“I have so many friends now—from different professions, countries, and backgrounds. If I need anything, chances are someone in the club can help.”
“We celebrate birthdays, we grab breakfast after runs, we hang out beyond running. It’s a social club—and the running is a bonus.”
Even romance has played a part —kind of.
“I met someone in the running club,” she says with a laugh. “It didn’t turn into anything serious, but it was such a different experience.”
Beyond the friendships and near-romances, running has helped Anne create a consistent routine.
“Before, I wasn’t very consistent with fitness. But now I use an app to track my runs, walks and even swims. Seeing how active everyone else is really pushes me. If I can commit to running, I can commit to other things.”
The physical results are undeniable.
“I’ve lost 15 kilos since I started running. I feel healthier, more in control. If I hadn’t joined a running club, I don’t even know what I’d be doing now.”
Her advice to anyone on the fence? “Don’t overthink it. People worry about their weight, their pace, or not being a ‘real runner.’ Just show up. Find a club that fits your vibe—some are serious, others social. But you won’t know until you try.”
As Anne puts it: “A person who doesn’t run will never understand why a runner runs.”
