Left from France since one month, I participated to my first run race of my round trip world! This is for real now!
Kimbia Kenya is a running race during 5 days where you are supposed to run 20km each day. You not only run in Kenya, but also you run inside one of the most beautiful Kenyan national parks. Most important thing: this is a charity race. Above the running challenge, Kimbia Kenya is supporting schools, high schools and towns through raise funding. This year, their project allow to build two classrooms in Murindi. During this week, I could also discover Masaaï people, one of the oldest Kenyan tribe, in order to understand their culture and life. We were welcome in their home and meet the entire family. This will stay unforgettable for me.
During 5 days, I ran in the following places :
– Elementaita lake
– Nakuru
– Eburu
– Crescent Island
– Hell’s gate
Elementaita Lake was the first step of your 5 days race and also an altitude stress test. Running at 1900 meters high, it’s not as easy as you think. Wake up at 6:30, I was ready to nail this race but as I ate to much, I felt it during the race. Hot weather, eggs and beans and run are not best friends. Hopefully, Florence was running with me which really help me. I could suffer from long path with not any shadow and hills. We ended it after a big hill in 1:32:00. At least we saw pink flamingos, that was of best reward after fresh water and oranges. 
On the afternoon,we went visiting a school in Murindu to help them to build several classes. We had the most amazing welcome you ever think about : songs and greetings during at least 30 min. Deputy, school chairman, teachers, parents of students, everybody were there to thank Kimbia Kenya work!
Second step, Nakuru. Always waking up at 6:30 for 
breakfast. This time I did not eat as much as the last. Good job Maud ! I was like a gazelle. I could even meet animals while running : white rhino, zebras and most important girafes. I stayed with Florence and we spend 1:58:00 to end it. For me this was the easiest race on the five. In fact, there was not so much ascending elevation, I was used to the altitude and the weather. 
After a little ceremony for the winners, we went in an awesome lodge where you have a beautiful view of Nakuru Lake and have lunch there. Before coming back to our lodge, we went for a game reserve drive where everybody excepted to see a lion but this is the hardest animal to find. Finally, we won’t see one but two lions two hundred meters from the end of the park. Lucky us!
On Tuesday, we went on Eburu, one of the most famous step in Kimbia Kenya. This was the hardest race of all races because of the 700m ascending elevation. What do you need to end this race ? Legs and a strong mental. But after suffering, you 
end the race with all the people from Eburu who really gives you wings! I ended it alone on 2:22:00. This time we were welcome by Eburu high school and we ate there after a Kenyan shower (a bowl with water and a cup…). We went after this race for a football against girls students. We obviously win because we were 14 against 7! Nice game by the way!
On Wednesday, after a long night, we went in a Masaaï village where I could meet Esther my Masaaï mum. She has 8 kids, built her own house in 3 weeks and takes care about all family. Her life is completely different from mine and European countries. Since the beginning of my round trip world and since this meeting, I am 100% sure we need to be thankful because we have a lot compare to this tribe. Stop complaining, be happy of what we have and most important try to learn about their spirit of mind.
On Thursday, we were in Crescent Island, one of the most beautiful race. If you are fan of “Out of Africa” movie, this is where it took place. Beginning by running into a town where parents and children follow you, I end my race with Christophe in 2:10:00. We saw again zebras, girafes and impalas. The three last kilometers were really tough but I made it. This step was quite difficult as we
rest for one day.
Finally, I ran in Hell’s Gate, for the last and hardest race in all week. You need to find your last strengths to end the race. As in Lake Elementaita, there is no shadow and the last km takes all your energy. Arrived, I was very proud of what I did : 100 km in 5 days ! As I never did it, I am even more proud!
THANK YOU KIMBIA KENYA!
To be prepared, I did to kind of training :
– B
efore leaving France, 3 times a week with a long run (15 to 20km).
– When I arrive in Kenya, during 2 weeks, 3 times a week with also a long run to get used to altitude and hot wheater.
What I will remember about my race :
– The nicest and friendliest organization team
– This race combine challenge and charity, what is fit totally with my “running spirit”.
– Kimbia Kenya allow you to discover all Kenya landscapes in a different way.
– Meeting with local people.
Check out all pictures here
