When the cheers at the Ulinzi Sports Complex faded and the spikes were off, a different kind of race began, this time, not against a stopwatch, but against the city skyline, chasing shadows of giraffes and lions in the heart of Nairobi National Park, the world’s only game reserve set within a capital city.
After electrifying performances at the Sixth edition of the Absa Kip Keino Classic, Athletics Kenya gifted visiting athletes an experience beyond the track, a guided safari tour to one of the country’s most iconic wildlife destinations, just a 10-minute drive from the stadium.
“It was surreal to go from racing to watching giraffes and rhinos so close to town,” said Lakeri Astri Eertzgaard, the Norwegian 400m sprinter who ran a season’s best of 52.39 to finish fourth in a competitive field led by Kenya’s Mercy Adongo Oketch.
Eertzgaard, who lined up in Lane Four, holds a personal best of 52.26.
The trip to Kenya marked a valuable stop in her early-season campaign and another visit to East Africa, where she also has family roots in Uganda.
“We also got a very good guide who taught us so much about the animals and the environment. I’ve done safaris before, but they’re far out. Here, we just hopped on a bus and arrived minutes later—it’s very special,” she said.
Destiny’s dash and discovery
Also in the safari convoy was Destiny Barnette Smith, the US-Liberian sprinter who replaced Switzerland’s Mujinga Kambundji in the women’s 100m lineup—then shocked the field by sprinting to a silver medal.
“Racing here in Nairobi was a cool experience,” said Barnette.
“The weather was beautiful, hospitality and service were great, and the stadium crowd was electric—I loved it!”
Though she kept her focus on racing first, she relished the safari experience afterward.
“I didn’t blend them,” she said.
“I handle my business on the track first, and afterward I can enjoy Kenya—the people, the country, and the safari.”
Barnette echoed Eertzgaard’s praise for the initiative, saying such excursions should be offered more widely to athletes during global competitions.
“It gives athletes something to look forward to after running. It should be an option. Not everyone can go, or wants to, but having the chance to unwind and connect with nature is amazing.”
Chidi Okezie: Racing for Africa, reflecting in the wild
Nigerian 400m star Chidi Okezie, who clocked a season’s best of 44.98 seconds to finish second in the men’s 400m, also took part in the post-race safari. For Okezie, the experience was a meaningful culmination of his time in Kenya.
“There’s something special about running in Africa, with Africans, for Africa. Every time I race here, it feels like I’m contributing to a bigger story, the story of African excellence in track and field,” Okezie said upon arriving in Nairobi.
After the competition, he expressed a desire to explore Kenya’s natural beauty:
“I’ve heard about Masai Mara. I’d love to see the lions, zebras, and giraffes, but after I’ve done what I came here to do.”
Shafiqua Maloney’s first African safari
Shafiqua Maloney, the 800m runner from St. Vincent and the Grenadines had this to say. “I’ve never been to a wildlife park, and I’ve never really had the chance to experience wildlife or places like that, so I think Kenya will be the perfect place for my first real experience.”
“Nairobi is the only city in the world with a national park right within it, and it’s just a few meters from the Kip Keino Classic venue. How cool is that?
Maloney commended Athletics Kenya and the Absa Kip Keino Classic organizers for offering international athletes a chance to visit the Nairobi National Park.
“When athletes come to your country, it shouldn’t just be about the race. It should be about sharing your culture. And wildlife is a huge part of African culture. I can’t wait to be part of that.”
Kenya’s winning formula: Sport + Tourism
This dual offering—elite competition and immersive cultural tourism—is no accident. Athletics Kenya, working closely with the Kenya Tourism Board, aims to leverage global meets like the Kip Keino Classic as platforms not just for athletics excellence but also to market Kenya’s natural heritage.
“We want athletes and fans to leave with more than medals. We want them to carry stories—of lions and leopards, of culture and connection,” said Barnaba Korir, the Kip Keino Classic Meet Director.
Since its launch, the Kip Keino Classic has become a crown jewel of the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold series, actively integrating tourism into the event’s programming, further distinguishing Nairobi as not only a global athletics hub but also a holistic sports-tourism destination.
As Kenya continues to host premier track and field competitions, the country is crafting a model that other host nations might emulate: Run fast. Stay longer. See more.
“You’re called an athlete because you’re under the World Athletics banner, but there’s more to the experience,” said Eertzgaard. “What Kenya does—showcasing both sport and culture—is something other nations should take seriously.”
And for Barnette, it’s an invitation to keep coming back.
“After this experience, why wouldn’t I want to race in Kenya again?” (Story was first published in Absa Kip Keino Classic website)
Robert Kibet is a freelance journalist based in Nairobi, Kenya. He previously worked as a correspondent for Milele FM. His feature stories on development, the climate crisis, the environment, conflict, human rights, food security, and education have been published in The Guardian UK, Reuters, IPS, DW, The New Humanitarian, and Equal Times.
Stay in the Know! Subscribe to our Official Newsletter for periodical updates.