How Nakuru’s veteran athletes turn Afraha Stadium into a field of health, hope and Inspiration

Every dawn, as the first rays of sunlight kiss the Afraha Stadium in Nakuru, a group of grey-haired men and women lace up their worn-out sneakers and take to the track with the same fire that once fueled their youth. They are former athletes—champions of yesteryears—now running not for medals, but for life itself.
With every stride, they fight off diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, stress, and depression. “Running keeps us alive, both in body and in spirit,” says retired road race runner Peter Macharia alias Withare, pausing to catch his breath after a lap. “We are proving that age is just a number.”
The group, comprising former footballers, runners, and field event stars, is training diligently for the upcoming Masters Games in Nairobi, aiming to qualify for the Africa Masters Championships in Tunisia. Their goal is simple: to keep fit, inspire the youth, and remind Kenya that discipline—not drugs—creates true champions.
“Using performance-enhancing drugs is corruption of the body,” says James Sigei, a former middle-distance runner. “Even if they win, they’ll spend their winnings treating themselves later.”
Despite their determination, many face financial hurdles. They train in torn shoes, sharing gear and water bottles. They are appealing to Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika’s administration for support to help them buy training kits and cover travel expenses.
Most live in the outskirts of the city—in Rongai, Bahati, Njoro, and Lanet—but every morning, they converge at Afraha Stadium, bound by friendship, discipline, and a shared belief that movement is medicine.
For these veterans, the race is no longer about breaking records—it’s about breaking the limits of age, proving that passion and perseverance never grow old.