Kitui County is steadily building excitement ahead of what is now shaping up to be one of the biggest athletics events the county has hosted in recent years after organisers officially launched the 2026 edition of the Green Run – Run for Rain.
The race, which will take place on Sunday, May 31, is expected to attract both elite and recreational runners from across the region, with the event set to start early in the morning at the iconic Ithookwe Stadium.
The momentum behind the event grew even stronger after the official launch at the Kenya Athletics Offices on Tuesday , where Dr Isaac Kalua revealed that the Kitui Green Run has already changed livelihoods since it was first introduced in 2006.
Speaking during the launch, he said the race has grown from a small community initiative into a movement that combines athletics with water security and environmental sustainability.
The launch, which was conducted in partnership with Athletics Kenya and the Kitui County Government, also saw organisers unveil the “Run for Rain” campaign as part of the Green Africa Group’s corporate social investment programme.
Organisers said the message behind the race is simple — Kitui is not running from drought, but running for rain — with every kilometre covered during the event expected to contribute directly to increasing water storage capacity in the county’s drylands.
The race has also received a major boost after former London Marathon champion Alexander Mutiso accepted to serve as the event ambassador, a move that is expected to attract more competitive runners and raise the profile of the event beyond the county.
The flagship half marathon is expected to be the centre of attention, with the 21-kilometre loop moving through Kitui town before stretching out towards Kwa Maingi Dam and the Ithookwe airstrip, turning the race into a serious endurance test rather than a routine community run.
Local runners are already treating the event as a major competition, especially with the early 6:00 AM start expected to set the tone for a fast and competitive race.
As the date draws closer, the event is also beginning to take on the atmosphere of a major community sporting occasion, with schools, youth groups and corporate teams showing growing interest in participating.
Organisers believe the race could grow into an annual event that not only promotes athletics but also brings the county together around a shared environmental cause.
With preparations now gaining momentum and registration already open, all eyes are now on Kitui as runners prepare to hit the road in a race that blends sport, community pride and the push for a greener future
