Strathmore University's VC Run grows ten-fold, eyes 6,000 participants next year

Strathmore University Vice-Chancellor's Run has experienced remarkable growth since its inception, transforming from a modest 200-participant event to this year's impressive turnout of 2,000 runners - representing a ten-fold increase over five years.

The university's commitment to supporting disadvantaged students remains the driving force behind the annual event.

"Strathmore has from its very beginning always supported the disadvantaged in society, because one of the key missions of the University is to serve society," Betty Ngala, the institution’s Director of Corporate Communications, told Citizen Digital.

"Many bright yet financially disadvantaged students have gotten opportunities to study in Strathmore, be it diploma, professional courses and degrees. The Run was initiated with the aim of raising funds purely for that purpose."

Currently, nearly 15% of Strathmore's student body receives some form of financial support, though the university notes that scholarship funds are pooled and cannot be specifically attributed to the VC Run alone.

Looking ahead, the institution has ambitious plans for expansion.

"We envision the Run as becoming bigger and more impactful and reaching the standards of StanChart which is not over 20 years. The more money we can raise, the more beneficiaries we can reach," added Ms. Ngala.

"We foresee the Run as being an avenue for increasing the message of wellness and fitness as a lifestyle for the students, staff and community. We foresee many corporates believing in this cause and coming on board to support it."

During this year's post-run address, Vice-Chancellor Dr. Vincent Ogutu shared his personal milestone of completing his first 21-kilometer run.

"You told me, you challenged me to go from 10 kilometers to 21, and I've now done my first 21," he told participants.

Dr. Ogutu used the occasion to deliver a powerful message about purpose-driven achievement.

"So there's so many beautiful things you can say about running. And the first one is just run for a purpose. Just get out of bed. It's already a good enough reason to run," he said.

The VC emphasized how the goal-setting mindset developed through running translates to broader life success.

"You can use it for your studies, for your work. The fact that you're used to setting targets, going for them, working hard, getting the reward, setting the next bar. That's an attitude. And it'll get you places. So running will actually make you succeed in life," Dr. Ogutu added.

Reflecting on the event's growth, Dr. Ogutu expressed amazement at the transformation.

"So the first VC run, there were 200 people. 200, just let that sink in. And now we have 2,000. 2,000. Ten times bigger than just five years ago. And somebody was telling me, don't be surprised to see 6,000 next year," he said.

While currently focused on Strathmore scholarships, Dr. Ogutu outlined ambitious plans for broader impact.

"Right now, we're doing it for Strathmore scholarships. We would want anybody who deserves to come to Strathmore to come to Strathmore. Money should never be the issue," Dr. Ogutu emphasized.

"And when we hit that target, then this run will not just be about Strathmore. It will be about anyone in Kenya, Africa... So we could extend this to any deserving scholar anywhere in Kenya. It doesn't have to be Strathmore."