Over the weekend, I had a chance to attend the Mokwo Hope Run at St. Agatha Mokwo Girls High School in Elgeyo Marakwet County, near Iten, its headquarters.
Held under the theme “Running for Hope: A Healthy Environment to Nurture Talent, Empower Girls, and Support Needy Students,” the inaugural Annual St. Agatha Mokwo Girls’ Race featured a five-kilometre community run and track events at the school grounds in Kaptarakwa Ward, Keiyo South Constituency.
“The initiative supports the revival of St. Agatha Mokwo Girls’, a C2 institution, by reinforcing the importance of girls’ education and strengthening academic and co-curricular performance,” the Kenya Forest Service, one of the main sponsors, stated in an announcement, adding that the event was organized by Principal Secretary to the National Treasury Dr. Chris Kiptoo, and alumnus of Mokwo Girls, together with area professionals, in collaboration with Athletics Kenya (AK).
During my attendance, I met with three amazing individuals: Elyas Ayyoub and Nicolas Anema from South Africa, and Bryan Villafuerte Castro, who is originally from spain and great great friends.
Elyas and Nicolas are majorly athletes, while Bryan is a photographer and their media person, responsible for most of their career media moments, which are posted on YouTube and their TikTok page RIFT, @rift.run.
Looking into the Athletics profiles of Elyas and Nicolas, it was amazing to host them at Business Today Sports. We talked at length with these ‘mzungus’ at the charity event, and here’s the pluck out.
Media interview: Why Kenya? Why Elgeyo Marakwet?
Elyas and Nicolas, who are in their twenties, have been passionate runners since their younger years. They both have participated in near-international events like the Belgium National Championship and the South African National Championship in 2025, respectively.
We talked about their visit to Kenya in relation to athletics and what they had to say about the future, planning, and personal ambitions, not forgetting the idea behind Rift.Run, whose vision is to build healthier lives and stronger communities through the transformative power of running.
RIFT
RIFT started at a party with a thought between best friends: ‘What if we just went somewhere to devote our lives to this singular purpose of running?’ So we took the leap to come here, to the ‘Home of Champions,’ not just to train, but to breathe the air that makes greatness possible.
For us, being in Iten is a ‘Search for the Soul of Running’. Running connects to our oldest technology: the human engine and the earth. When you are here, suffering on the dirt roads with world champions who live simply and humbly, you realize that this environment strips away the lifestyle of running and leaves you with the raw truth.
These were the sentiments of Nicolas Anema, who couldn’t agree more that Kenya is a cradle of athletics, having produced great names like Faith Kipyegon and Eliud Kipchoge, who have shattered world records.
“The biggest difference we’ve felt here compared to anywhere else is the lack of ego. We raced the Mokwo Hope Charity Run recently, and it hit me hard. You’re suffering on these hills, and the whole community is out there screaming ‘Goooo Muzungu!’ It was this welcoming, pushing energy.”
Focus
On his part, Elyas emphasized their dedication and their dream of transforming the health and well-being of communities through inclusive and accessible running experiences, empowering all to achieve their potential.
He noted that those willing to check out what they do can do so via various social platforms, such as Instagram as well.
“For the future? I think it’s about taking this raw, beautiful culture and sharing it with the world properly. That is what we are building with RIFT. We want to be the bridge. We want to unite the continent, from the trails of South Africa to the dirt roads of Iten, under this banner of African excellence.”
“The future isn’t just about exporting fast times to the West anymore. It’s about exporting this spirit. The Primal focus. The humble work. The community. That is the future of running, and it’s starting right here,” they said in one voice.
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