Six universities in Nairobi are set to compete in the Open Lanes Varsity Invitational, a campus athletics competition bringing together student runners in a battle for campus bragging rights and an opportunity to earn a race weekend experience in South Africa.
The competition will feature teams from Riara University, Strathmore University, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), University of Nairobi (UoN), Kenyatta University (KU) and Catholic University of East Africa (CUEA).
Each participating university will field a crew of four athletes comprising two ladies and two gentlemen. Organisers have limited participation to 15 teams per campus, with slots available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The competition will follow a two-stage format, beginning with campus knockout races before culminating in a Grand Finale at Nyayo National Stadium on October 3, 2026.
Campus knockout schedule
- Kenyatta University – September 11
- Strathmore University – September 17
- CUEA – September 18
- JKUAT – September 24
- University of Nairobi – September 25
- Riara University –September 23
Teams that emerge victorious in the campus knockouts will progress to the Grand Finale, where they will battle for the overall crown.
Beyond the athletics competition, the Grand Finale is expected to combine sport with entertainment and campus culture. The event will be free and run throughout the day, featuring food, music, culture and fashion.
The competition also offers an international opportunity, with four athletes selected from the winning side set to earn a race weekend experience in South Africa.
Organisers say the Open Lanes Varsity Invitational is designed to give university students an opportunity to showcase their athletic talent while celebrating campus identity, creativity and community through sport.
Students interested in participating can access the official registration platform here:
Register: https://wemoveculture.africa/find-your-lane.html
The initiative is being promoted under the hashtags #CreateWithOn #OnVarsityInvitational #OpenLanes2026 #FeatureByOn.
