Mt. Kenya Extreme Sports Challenge joins the league of Lewa Marathon and “10 to 4″ mountain bike events on the regional calendar of tourism events and attractions. The newborn event is bouncing with promises and potentials of being a major tourism attraction in the region with a capacity to host more than ten thousand participants and spectators. The mountain and jungle location is perhaps the most ideal for an adventure of this category. Mt. Kenya tourism Circuit Association is proud to be associated with this event and congratulates and hails the initiative and creativity of Mt. Kenya School of Adventure and Leadership (KESAL).
Held at the KESAL Marania base camp, Solo camp at ten thousand feet above sea level and on the snowcaps of the rugged peaks of Mt. Kenya from 20th to 22nd October 2011 this maiden event was by all standards a real thrill. The daring participants taking the sky marathon held at the snow peaks left base camp at dawn and were transported by vehicles to the starting point. Other participants and revelers remained in the base camp for extreme event and jungle races both junior and senior. As the hours approached for the start of the events, tension and anxiety was evident among the competitors most of whom were eyeing the converted prizes. The start of the event was marked by jubilation as was the end packed with wild cheers for the winners. The head coach of athletic Kenya based at Kigari Embu affirmed “from here we have the future marathon champion, the course has all that it takes to make a world champion – it has the obstacles to build stamina, and the attitude is next to none in the Kenya or Ethiopia”
Sponsored by Kenya Energy Generating Company (KENGEN), Kenya Tourism Board (KTB), Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), Kenya Forest Service (KFS), Athletics Kenya and Mt. Kenya Tourism Circuit Association (MKTCA). The event brought together enthusiasts of adventure from across the country. Big names in athletics, armatures and fun seekers all mingled in the dense rosewood forests of Marania base camp. In a casual and friendly atmosphere diverse professional groups and disciplines from the armed forces to celebrities and locals cheered the winners. Thrill and jubilation rocked the air at the finishing line whenever competitors crossed the finishing line. Evalyne Wambui a participant from Embu Tourism Development Organization (ETDO) says, “This was extremely enjoyable and challenging, I have learned a lot from this event besides meeting my celebrity Naomi Kamau of TV drama Mother in Law, and I look forward to participating in future”
The social arena was by all standards cool. For the lovers of music, camp fire, and something extraordinary this was the true “Mashuja” event and is bound to attract more fun seekers, revelers, anglers and holiday enthusiasts