Older runners defy age in Kenya’s central highlands | News
Meru County, Kenya – Every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday, 82-year-old Wanjiru Kamau sets out from her home in Mikumbune village in South Imenti Constituency to run five kilometers (3.2 miles).
Since joining a local athletics group in 2017, the roads of Meru County, located approximately 314 kilometers from Nairobi, have become a familiar path for Wanjiru. Initially met with skepticism, she recalls how others laughed at her decision to run. “Since I began exercising and drinking water, my blood pressure is now normal, and I no longer get muscle spasms,” she said.
Wanjiru is one of 80 members of the Meru chapter of Masters Athletics Kenya, a national organization for athletes aged 60 and above. Training alongside younger runners, she participates in a community increasingly recognized for its athletic achievements.
Kenya is renowned for its distance running, with athletes like Eliud Kipchoge and Faith Kipyegon representing the pinnacle of the sport. In Meru, older residents are demonstrating that athletic pursuits are not limited to the young.
Building a Movement in Meru
The Meru chapter was founded in 2015 by Stephen Michubu Linguya, a father of two from Muriri in Tigania East Constituency. Observing neighbors struggling with chronic illnesses linked to inactivity, he sought to reignite the passion for running among older adults.
“When we formed this group, we looked for older adults who had once loved running,” Linguya said, hoping to inspire a new generation to follow their example.
The group trains three days a week, with members traveling distances ranging from 10 to 50 kilometers (6.2 to 31 miles) to their training grounds at their own expense. With no financial support or sponsorship, the athletes rely on one another for motivation and camaraderie.
Running Against Age and Distance
James Mworia, 73, from Uruku in South Imenti Constituency, has actively participated in the group since its inception. In 2019, he traveled to Tunisia for the African Masters Athletics competition, returning with two silver medals. “I’m encouraging older people to come and join this group for their health and fitness,” Mworia said, noting significant improvements in his well-being since joining.
Not all challenges faced by group members are age-related. Protasio Mutuma Lichoro, 52, who is visually impaired, trains with the assistance of his son. He expressed gratitude for the support he found within the group, highlighting the importance of community in overcoming personal barriers.
“Since I joined this group, I have gained so much,” Lichoro said. “Now, training with such a crowd, I even help train others to be guides.”
The Runners Who Kept Going
Elias Murega, Meru County’s executive committee member for youth, sports, gender, and social development, sees the group as a testament to the continuing capabilities of older adults. He believes their activities provide a visible model of discipline and fitness.
“In Meru County, we have seen many successful athletes who have gone to the international level,” Murega said. “Sports is the way to go. Many lifestyle diseases are linked to a lack of exercise.”
The county government is exploring ways to support the group’s efforts, allowing members to publicly demonstrate their work, which could foster greater awareness and recognition within the community.
In Mikumbune, Wanjiru Kamau’s mornings have transformed since 2017. While the laughter from neighbors has not entirely ceased, she focuses on her health rather than seeking approval. “I’m encouraging all older adults to take up regular exercise to stay fit and healthy,” she stated, embodying the spirit of resilience that characterizes the Meru athletics community.
