Three relay teams from Kenyatta University have qualified for the finals of the Open Lanes Varsity Invitational after emerging from a competitive round of in-campus qualifiers.
The competition, powered by Swiss sportswear brand On, brings together student-athletes from universities across Nairobi in a contest for inter-university bragging rights and a fully paid race-weekend experience in South Africa.
The qualification marks the start of the knockout phase, which will see students from Kenyatta University, the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA), Strathmore University, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), the University of Nairobi and Riara University compete in relay races.
The grand-prize finals are scheduled for October 3, 2026, at Nyayo Stadium.
Beyond the competition, four standout student-athletes from the participating teams will be selected to win a fully paid trip to South Africa. The experience will offer the students an opportunity to compete in a new environment, explore South Africa’s running culture and engage with the sport beyond the university circuit.
Speaking during the launch of the knockout qualifiers at Kenyatta University, On Director of Africa Navalayo Osembo said the initiative seeks to identify emerging talent while creating new opportunities for young people to connect through sport and culture.
“We have officially kicked off the knockout session for the Open Lanes Varsity Invitational, where we have held a fun experience at Kenyatta University. For the next two weeks, we will be on tour to the participating universities, where we hope to discover great talent ahead of the finals,” Osembo said.
She added that the brand’s ambition was to build a community that celebrates Kenyan heritage and inspires young people to experience sport and culture in new ways.
On has established a presence in Kenya through partnerships with local runners and communities, including We Run Nairobi, as it seeks to connect with a generation that increasingly views running as a sport, lifestyle, source of connection and form of self-expression.
In 2025, On and We Run Nairobi hosted a community run at Windsor Golf Club that attracted more than 500 runners, highlighting the growing interest in accessible social running experiences in the city.
The brand has also partnered with Kenyan athletes including Hellen Obiri, Patrick Kipngeno and Mercy Chepngeno in support of athletes across different disciplines and stages of their careers.
Its African athlete portfolio was further expanded through the signing of South African 400-metre star and World U20 champion Lythe Pillay, who became the first professional athlete from South Africa to join On’s global athlete roster.
As On expands its footprint across Africa, the company says it aims to build an ecosystem centred on movement and storytelling, creating spaces where young athletes can compete, connect and gain visibility.
The Open Lanes Varsity Invitational forms part of that ambition, bringing university athletes together while promoting Kenya’s strong running culture and creating opportunities for talent development.
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