Mater Heart Run 2025..touching a childs heart, one step at a time!

 May is always the month for Mater Heart Run..

So this is a permanent fixture in my To Do list for May since 2009 ( we had to recreate this photo)!

Almost missed it this month because of some sudden back pain I had, but mercifully this was sorted by physiotherapy and I can go back to the walks (amen!!)

This was the 23rd edition of the Run and the initial notice was that the run/walk would start in Ulinzi Stadium and this would mean Langata Road would be the main road that would be affected. Last minute there was a change to KICC and my sis and I were like that's gonna be a day for jammmmmmmmmmmmm and we warned all the people we could! (because understandably one can simply miss some notices and stuck in epic jam in this Nairobi..given that Uhuru highway is an important traffic artery!)

Anyhooooo

Saturday May 31 bright and early, we (my sis, her reluctant son..hehehe & I) took an Uber to KICC and reached at 6.30am

The crowd had not gathered and even the exhibition stands were not yet ready

We stood around and took photos around KICC and at some point they even opened the fountains and am convinced they did this to allow for photo ops...big up KICC!

Around 8.30am the crowd had really swelled...lots of school children and I really love this because Mater Heart Runs' main beneficiaries are children; and its a fun initiative to introduce children to giving for a cause plus walking as a way of keeping fit and healthy

So 9am we were finally flagged off after a series of fun warm ups and speeches (which to me could be made extremely brief!!) The sun was already up and I was so glad I carried a wide breamed hat!

The route took us past Parliament building and up Ngong road, then we entered lower hill road up to KNH - this was 4km mark - then we turned back and we turned off at Bunyala Rd and walked down to Mega Mall..since the logic of heading back to KICC would mean walking to the same Mega Mall to avoid the jam - so we managed 6.5km, by around noon

Took an Uber Home with my heart full!

Loved the walk....wish I could have done the 10km but the route didn't favour us....at first the Mater Heart Run was just a cause I loved to support, and in later years, the issue has come very personal and close to my heart!

The news reported that over 17k participants took part this year across 10 towns in Kenya...wow wow wow

So heres to all those who Touched a Childs Heart! 

May you never lack in Jesus name!!

Cheers!

We did it!

we have waited for this day

the day of his first ran....or walk

the other kids talk about it

so when the green t shirt finally came

it dawned on LO that its actually happening

he is 5.5 years and we thought this is a good age to start

he was up early and eager to go

we headed off to Machakos and

reached at 10am!! we thought the walk would have started

but we were just in time to listen to the

testimonies of the children who have benefited

Touching stories indeed!

God bless Little Sisters of Mercy, who ran Mater Hosp

So off we walked....this time armed with sweets and water (last year we forgot!)

and we walked

and walked

at 7.2km (as per the phone reader)

the tiredness set it

Daddy had to carry him.....if not the wailing might start

after a distance

he was game again to walk

we cleared the walk in 2hours

and of course went to Machakos peoples park for yummy lunch

Lovely day!!

Mater Heart Run 2016...great cause of support!

May rolled in and of course we simply had to take part in the Mater Heart Run...this is a must for our house :) If there is one cause I support whole heartedly its this one....that a child can get a much needed asssistance so that they can enjoy their childhood even more and grow into healthy adulthood!

I have been taking part in this walk for a long time...but the earliest photo I could find was for 2009...in 2010, my nephew and son also took part for the first time and boy, weren't they tired!! in 2013, my daughter took part and I had to enlist help so that she can be carried should she give up...and for sure we took turns to carry her. In 2015, I didn't take part, but kids went for it (no photo :( ).

So in 2016, when the two days before the walk was raining like its been sent by sijui what,...I almost gave up on it, don't wish to be rained on with no place to shelter. By mid morning, the sun was out on the Friday before the walk/run so I dashed to Nakumatt Junction and got me 4 T-shirts. That evening, an idea hit me as I was looking at the route, that we can actually make it more fun, by taking part in the walk in Machakos instead....not far from Nairobi and not as hilly (that upper hill stretch kills me!!)

So early Saturday, off  we went to Machakos...we were there at 7.30am...kumbe the walk starts at 8am as per the program...so we took some snacks and waited patiently. Lots of school children!! and the Guest of Honour acknowledged that 50% of the contributions normally comes from school children..so nice!! Finally 10am we set off, and the looming dark clouds had cleared...the walked seemed so long,....but worth it

Finally we were done and off we went to Machakos Peoples park for some lunch...hubby even tried some zip lining (to the amazement of the kids!!)

Well done Mater!! May you always extend the heart of mercy to lil ones!!