Henry Wanyoike ‘Hope For The Future’ Run Set For This Weekend

The 10th edition of the Henry Wanyoike Hope for the Future run is set to take place on Saturday, 4th June 2016 in Kikuyu town, Kiambu County.

The run, whose theme is “Peace and inclusion of persons with disabilities”, is the second in the 2016 Safaricom Athletics Series calendar and is expected to attract over 15,000 participants from different parts of the country.

This year’s event has been organized into five categories: Seniors 7.5km men and women, Veterans 3km, Juniors 7.5km, Physically Challenged (wheelchairs) 7.5km and Children (6-12 years) 3km.  

The event will focus on the importance of inclusion of Persons With Disabilities in societal issues and encourage communities to maintain peace the country prepares for elections. The race will also be used as a platform to discover and nurture upcoming athletes.

“As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of this event we appreciate the impact it has had on communities, specifically on the physically challenged. I am happy that what started as my passion for people and athletics has grown to create something of this magnitude,” said Race Founder, Henry Wanyoike.

“Through the Henry Wanyoike Hope for the Future Run, we aim to raise awareness on social issues affecting us, and emphasise on the need to recognise and appreciate people living with disabilities as equal and deserving of the same opportunities as the able-bodied,” he added.

The first races to be flagged off will be the Children’s and Veteran’s races at Gitaru Kanjeru stage from 8:00am. The second race to be flagged off will be the People With Disabilities (wheelchairs) category, followed by the Juniors’ and Seniors’ race at Wangige Shopping Centre from 9am.

The award ceremony will be held at The Alliance High School grounds that afternoon.

“This race is testament to how sports – specifically athletics – is transforming lives all over the country. Henry Wanyoike’s passion to make a difference by rallying communities to advocate for equal rights for persons with disabilities is bearing fruit, and we are honoured to be partners,” said Sylvia Mulinge, Director of Consumer Business – Safaricom.

“This year, we are sponsoring the race to a tune of Kshs.1.5 million, which will go towards logistics, event management and winners’ prizes,” she added.

Among the guests who have confirmed attendance include: US Ambassador Robert Godec, who will be the Chief Guest, John Ngugi (five-time World Cross Country Champion), representatives from the National Council for Persons with Disabilities, and Isaac Mwaura – nominated Member of Parliament.

The 10th edition of the Henry Wanyoike Hope for the Future run is set to take place on Saturday, 4th June 2016 in Kikuyu town, Kiambu County.

The run, whose theme is “Peace and inclusion of persons with disabilities”, is the second in the 2016 Safaricom Athletics Series calendar and is expected to attract over 15,000 participants from different parts of the country.

This year’s event has been organized into five categories: Seniors 7.5km men and women, Veterans 3km, Juniors 7.5km, Physically Challenged (wheelchairs) 7.5km and Children (6-12 years) 3km.  

The event will focus on the importance of inclusion of Persons With Disabilities in societal issues and encourage communities to maintain peace the country prepares for elections. The race will also be used as a platform to discover and nurture upcoming athletes.

“As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of this event we appreciate the impact it has had on communities, specifically on the physically challenged. I am happy that what started as my passion for people and athletics has grown to create something of this magnitude,” said Race Founder, Henry Wanyoike.

“Through the Henry Wanyoike Hope for the Future Run, we aim to raise awareness on social issues affecting us, and emphasise on the need to recognise and appreciate people living with disabilities as equal and deserving of the same opportunities as the able-bodied,” he added.

The first races to be flagged off will be the Children’s and Veteran’s races at Gitaru Kanjeru stage from 8:00am. The second race to be flagged off will be the People With Disabilities (wheelchairs) category, followed by the Juniors’ and Seniors’ race at Wangige Shopping Centre from 9am.

The award ceremony will be held at The Alliance High School grounds that afternoon.

“This race is testament to how sports – specifically athletics – is transforming lives all over the country. Henry Wanyoike’s passion to make a difference by rallying communities to advocate for equal rights for persons with disabilities is bearing fruit, and we are honoured to be partners,” said Sylvia Mulinge, Director of Consumer Business – Safaricom.

“This year, we are sponsoring the race to a tune of Kshs.1.5 million, which will go towards logistics, event management and winners’ prizes,” she added.

Among the guests who have confirmed attendance include: US Ambassador Robert Godec, who will be the Chief Guest, John Ngugi (five-time World Cross Country Champion), representatives from the National Council for Persons with Disabilities, and Isaac Mwaura – nominated Member of Parliament.