New York Road Runners Makes First Official Visit to Kenya — the Home of Champions

February 2026 marked a significant milestone in the history of New York Road Runners—the organization paid its first official visit to the nation that has produced more marathon champions than any other place in the world. Led by CEO Rob Simmelkjaer, the delegation included members of the Executive Leadership, Professional Athletes, and Content teams, underscoring the depth of commitment behind the trip.

“Leading New York Road Runners’ first-ever visit to Kenya was an experience I will cherish forever,” said Simmelkjaer. “As the NYRR community knows, we launched our new mission statement in 2024 to ‘create healthier lives and stronger communities through the transformative power of running.’ Outside of New York, there is nowhere that better demonstrates NYRR’s impact than Kenya.”

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