On a Saturday morning in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD), 500 people set off on a long-distance walking challenge. It was not just about fitness, but much more about connection and building endurance.
They met at 7am, walked about 55 kilometres to and from Gatundu, taking seven hours to complete the trek.
For many participants, it was a chance to meet new people, share stories, and embrace a slow, deliberate way of turning weekends into adventures.
Walking challenges are increasingly becoming a trend and Karakacha Anne, a voice artiste, was one of the participants.
She says the idea of an over 50-kilometre walk from Nairobi to Gatundu sounded impossible a year ago. Everything changed when she joined Benaura Walking Club.
“Since last year, walking with Benter (the founder) and others in the group has been life-changing. It’s the best way I’ve found to stay fit; it’s not just about your body, but your mind too. You build focus, discipline, and a sense of community all at once,” Anne says.
She had tried gym workouts, but she struggled to maintain the discipline. But walking has become something she can consistently do and enjoy.
But the walk was not without challenges. “The stretch between Kenyatta Road and the waterfalls was the toughest. The slopes weren’t extreme, but they tested me. The sun was hot, and there wasn’t much shade. At one point, I almost gave up,” she says.
oice artiste Karakacha Anne, who took part in the Nairobi–Gatundu community walk.
Photo credit: Pool
But the other walkers, music from a Bluetooth speaker, and mini-jogs along the way helped her push through.
“At some point, my legs gave up, but my upper body kept going.”
At the waterfall, she developed muscle cramps.
“But standing at the waterfall, feeling the cold water on my muscles, it was like a reset. I finally understood why people do ice baths: it relaxes the muscles, calms the body, and clears your mind.”
Beyond fitness, Anne says the long-distance walks have made her fearless.
“I’ve started taking on challenges I would have avoided before. I’m not afraid to ask for opportunities or step into spaces where I might not get chosen.”
Before a long-distance walk, Anne says she slows down her schedule a week to the D-Day, making sure work and responsibilities do not spill over into the weekend. She keeps her meals healthy, too.
“This really makes a difference. What you do in private shows up on the road,” she says.
For Benter Marion, who organised the Nairobi-Gatundu challenge, preparation involves daily walks. “Daily, I did about 15,000 plus steps, and that helps me with endurance and discipline. It also helps me mentally because I get to understand how long a certain kilometre takes and how to pace myself,” says Benta whose Benaura Walking Club has organised inter-town walks including routes from Nairobi to Kitengela, Ngong and Thika.
While the first half of the route was manageable for regular walkers, the real challenge emerged deeper into the journey.
“From Nairobi CBD to Kenyatta Road was a walk in the park because we’ve done it many times. The most challenging point came around the 35th kilometre,” she says.
“The last kilometres are always the hardest. That’s where mental strength comes in: the ability to talk to yourself and push through. Everybody reaches a point where they start asking themselves why and whether they will really make it. That’s when the legs got painful. That’s also where many people decided they were done.”
Benter Marion, founder of Benaura Walking Club, during the Nairobi–Gatundu long-distance walk.
Photo credit: Pool
The final stretch to the waterfall tested endurance even further, particularly after the group opted to avoid a shortcut and remain on the main road.
“There was a moment when everyone went quiet. Google Maps was telling us we were almost there, but locals kept saying, ‘Take the next turn.’ Even though the turn wasn’t long, mentally it felt impossible,” Marion says, adding, “at one point, I removed my shoes and started walking in my socks because everything felt so heavy. But because of the mental strength I’ve built, I told myself, ‘This is it, just push through.’”
She says walking as a group plays a crucial role in sustaining morale, especially when fatigue sets in.
“You meet people with very different reasons for being there, some for fun, some for fitness, and some to test their limits,” she says.
Along the route, walkers received support from locals, who were surprised at the distance participants were covering on foot.
“People were shocked that we were walking from Nairobi. At one police camp, they even invited us to use their washrooms. The locals were very kind and very curious,” she says.
Marion says she avoids resting during long walks but walkers made a stop at Spa Mall around the halfway mark, to buy water and food.
“We don’t rest often because the moment we stop, the mind struggles to convince itself to start again,” she says.
Beyond the physical challenge, the number of walkers who joined the challenge, Marion says, reinforced her belief in the importance of inclusive fitness spaces.
“Many people want to be fit, but they don’t like running or the gym. In running communities, walkers often feel discouraged. That’s why a walking community is necessary, walking is underrated, but many people actually enjoy it,” she says.
If you want to start long-distance walking, Marion advises, “don’t go hard, go often. Start small, build slowly, and you’ll be surprised by what your mind and body can finish together.”
John Mugo joined the walking challenge as an act of gratitude. “This walk was for thanksgiving. On December 20, 2025, I was in an accident, and I came out alive. Pushing myself on this walk reminded me to value life and health,” says John, who has done eight challenges so far.
One of his greatest challenges was running out of drinking water. “Imagine doing 50 kilometres with just two litres of water or none at all, it teaches you how to survive with what you have.”
Ayom Bien, another participant, says the walk was not just about covering distance, but understanding whether his body could persevere.
Ayom Bien, one of the walkers who completed the Nairobi–Gatundu long-distance route.
Photo credit: Pool
“It was a way of taking care of my mental and physical health, and showing that I can do what I put my minds to.”
Ayom has been doing shorter distances, but still, the journey was not without its breaking points. The final stretch of eight kilometres was the most difficult.
“Fatigue kicked in, my legs felt heavy, and I felt like I could give up.”
He says he managed to overcome that moment by mentally breaking the remaining distance into smaller, achievable sections rather than focusing on how far was left.
“Seeing other people push through their own challenges kept me motivated, too,” he says.
Ayom says he kept things simple on the walk: staying hydrated and steering clear of foods that might slow him down or zap his energy. He remembers stopping just once to grab a quick sugar boost before getting back on the move.
N “Before this, I used to underestimate my capability. Completing the 50-kilometre walk showed me that I can conquer both short and long-distance challenges. The walk taught me resilience and patience. It helped me stay positive and focused instead of feeling overwhelmed,” he says.
