Three teams from Kenyatta University have secured qualification for the next stage of the Open Lanes Varsity Invitational after emerging from a competitive on-campus qualifier that brought together student athletes to battle for a place in the inter-campus competition.
The successful teams will now join qualifiers from other participating universities as the competition enters its knockout phase, with students set to compete in relay races for a place in the grand finale.
The Open Lanes Varsity Invitational, organised by Swiss sportswear brand On, seeks to create a new platform for university athletes to compete, connect and experience running beyond the traditional track environment.
The knockout series will bring together teams from Kenyatta University, Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA), Strathmore University, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), University of Nairobi and Riara University.
The final competition is scheduled for October 3, 2026, at Nyayo Stadium, where the qualifying teams will compete for the ultimate honours.
Beyond competition, the initiative will offer four standout student athletes an opportunity to travel to South Africa for a fully funded race experience.
The selected athletes will have an opportunity to compete in a different environment, experience South Africa’s running culture and build connections beyond Kenya’s university athletics circuit.
Speaking during the Kenyatta University qualifier, Navalayo Osembo, Director of Africa at On, said the competition was designed to discover emerging talent while creating a community around 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.
“Our ambition is to build a community that celebrates Kenyan heritage and inspire young people to experience sports and culture in a different way,” she added.
On has been building its presence in Kenya through partnerships with local running communities, including We Run Nairobi, as it seeks to connect with a younger generation that increasingly views running as more than a competitive sport.
The brand and We Run Nairobi organised a community run at Windsor Golf Club in 2025 that attracted more than 500 runners, highlighting the growing popularity of accessible and social running experiences.
On has also partnered with Kenyan athletes including Hellen Obiri, Patrick Kipngeno and Mercy Chepngeno, supporting athletes across different disciplines and stages of their careers.
Its African athlete programme was further expanded with the signing of South African 400-metre star and World U20 champion Lythe Pillay, who became the first professional athlete from the country to join On’s global athlete roster.
The Open Lanes initiative forms part of On’s broader efforts to establish a stronger presence in Africa by creating platforms that combine movement, competition, storytelling and community.
For university athletes, the competition provides an opportunity to showcase their abilities outside conventional athletics structures while connecting with fellow runners from different institutions.
As On continues to expand its footprint on the continent, Kenya remains an important market because of its established running culture and growing youth and digital economy.
The Open Lanes Varsity Invitational is expected to continue the conversation around running as a sport, lifestyle and cultural experience while giving emerging student athletes a platform to compete and be discovered.
