Twenty-eight refugee athletes hailing from the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Turkana County have embarked on a massive 840-kilometre ultra-marathon towards Nairobi. The journey aims to spotlight refugee challenges while mobilizing global support for education, health services, food security, and sustainable development initiatives within refugee settlements.
Titled the Tegla Loroupe Ultra Marathon “Run for Hope,” the seven-day campaign runs from August 17 to August 23, 2026. The participating athletes will traverse the long route from Turkana down to Nairobi, where they are scheduled to reach the finish line at Uhuru Park on Sunday.
The initiative is spearheaded by legendary world marathon champion and founder of the Tegla Loroupe Peace Foundation, Tegla Loroupe, alongside refugee ambassador Msafiri Francois. Loroupe is actively running the distance with the 28 refugees to show solidarity and send a strong message that displacement should never mark the end of a person’s life ambitions.
Expressing her motivation, Ambassador Loroupe stated that every single kilometre covered serves as an active reminder that displaced individuals still deserve equal opportunities to chase their ambitions. She reiterated her commitment to ensuring refugee voices and potential remain visible through sports.
Organized under the theme “Running for Humanity: Empowering Refugees Through Education and Sustainable Development,” the initiative addresses severe issues faced by displaced populations, including persistent food shortages, lack of schooling, unemployment, and mental health struggles. Funds raised through the trek will directly supply scholarships, classroom materials, food packages, and psychosocial support to vulnerable refugee youth.
Beyond financial relief, the long-distance run seeks to foster peaceful coexistence between host communities and refugee populations. Highlighting ongoing efforts, Loroupe pointed to figures like refugee athlete Yiech Pur Biel set to lead the Refugee Olympic Team at the Youth Olympic Games in Senegal as proof of what sport-driven opportunities can accomplish.
Ultimately, the 840-kilometre trek serves as a powerful testament to how athletics can cultivate peace, dignity, and a better future for refugees across Kenya and beyond.
