Three relay squads from Kenyatta University (KU) secured their places in the Open Lanes Varsity Invitational finals following explosive on-campus qualifiers on Monday, marking a thrilling start to Nairobi’s premier collegiate track showpiece.
The successful trial positions KU as an early frontrunner in the high-stakes, On-backed competition.
Over the coming weeks, the event will gather elite student-athletes from six regional institutions to battle for inter-university supremacy and a career-defining prize: a fully paid race-weekend experience in South Africa.
The knockout tour now moves to Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA), Strathmore University, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), the University of Nairobi, and Riara University. The top relay teams from each campus will eventually converge at Nyayo Stadium on October 3 for a high-intensity grand finale.
Beyond institutional bragging rights, the tournament serves as a talent pipeline. Four exceptional student-athletes selected from the competing field will earn the trip to South Africa, exposing them to advanced performance environments and the nation’s deeply entrenched running culture.
On Africa Director Navalayo Osembo emphasised that the tour aims to blend elite competition with grassroots youth engagement.
“We have officially kicked off the knockout phase for the Open Lanes Varsity Invitational with a fantastic experience at Kenyatta University,” Osembo noted.
“Over the next two weeks, we will tour the remaining partner universities to uncover exceptional talent before the finals. Our goal is to build a vibrant community that honors Kenyan heritage while inspiring young people to engage with sports and culture in new ways.”
The circuit reflects the Swiss sportswear brand’s expanding footprint across East Africa, where it actively collaborates with local running clubs and global icons alike.
On’s regional roster features two-time Boston and New York marathon champion Hellen Obiri, alongside trail powerhouses Patrick Kipng’eno and Mercy Chepng’eno.
The brand has also broadened its continental influence by signing Kenyan 3,000m steeplechase sensation Dorcas Ewoi and South African 400m sensation and World U20 champion Lythe Pillay.
