2025 Sokoke MTB Challenge
A journey with A Rocha
In 2024 I finally got a chance to revisit A Rocha Kenya during a short trip to Watamu. I decided to stay at Mwamba guest house and pay a visit to the same place I had volunteered at back in 2016 as a fresh faced 18 year old straight out of high school. I became engulfed by the stories at A Rocha and the conversations about how rapidly Watamu was changing. I knew that this is somewhere I wanted to be, somewhere I felt I belonged and I could be of use surrounded by nature and amazing people doing amazing work to uplift the community and protect the environment.
Joining the Communications Team and Discovering MTB
I found out about an annual bike race taking place in Watamu and organised by A rocha Kenya, the Sokoke MTB Challenge! I knew I had to get involved somehow. In September 2024 i joined A Rocha Kenya as a volunteer in the communications department which has led to a full time role as Communications Assistant. Before the race took place there was work to be done in order to promote the race on social media. This meant going through the archives of photos and videos from the year before, and creating content that would get everyone excited for a bigger and better MTB. Our dates had been locked in for Saturday the 17th and Sunday the 18th of May 2025. And so early 2025 we launched our campaign for themsokokemtbchallenge2025 promoting the race and opened registration.
Mapping the Route
The MTB story actually begins before the race, as part of the preparation a team of experienced local riders and location scouts from the A Rocha team set out to map out the track for the event. During this process everyone is on the lookout for routes that provide iconic views for the riders such as palm tree fields, and Mangrove forests as well as looking out for terrain that will be a challenge and thrill for our riders.
Race Weekend: Day One – The 55km Challenge
On the weekend of the 17th and 18th of May 2025 Arocha Kenya and our partners hosted the 7th edition of the annual Sokoke mtb challenge. Over the years our race has gained the reputation as one of the best mountain bike experiences you can have in Kenya. Breathtaking scenery combined with a glance through the communities surrounding Arabuko Sokoke forest and Mida Creek.
Saturday morning, Day one, somewhat promising because the rain from the night before meant that the sandy parts on the trail would be nice and compact, ideal for cycling instead of the loose dry slippery sand. The startline for the day one 55km race was at the main gate for the Arabuko – Sokoke forest right by the forestry offices.The bigger, 75km, race on day two has marshalls at different checkpoints guiding the cyclists through the route. For the race on day one the riders were completely on their own and were told to download a GPS version of the map prior to the race that had the route clearly mapped out so they would be relying on themselves rather than having marshalls show them the way.
They began with a long stretch through the Arabuko Sokoke forest home of the endangered golden rumped elephant shrew, maneuvering through the red soil branches and tree roots. After about 20 KM of forest while on the lookout for the forest’s resident elephants, the riders emerge at the Mida gate and cross the Malindi highway through some farmland into the mangrove forest along Mida creek. Joining the remnants of the old Mombasa road which used to be the biggest highway in the country. The last stretch was taxing on the riders, as they got absolutely poured on by the heavy rainfall. But as the event’s name suggests, a challenge was delivered.
As the race came to an end, we had the sun beaming through the clouds as the first riders began crossing the finish line. The energy at the finish line was electric and cheerful. Everyone was glad their clothes were finally drying thanks to the sun’s last minute appearance . It began to look and feel like Watamu again. Once everybody had crossed the finish line there was no time to waste as the big 75KM race was the next day.
Race Weekend: Day Two – The 75km Marathon
Logistically day two is a nightmare having to drop all the marshalls at their checkpoints over 80 different points and all before 7AM. Meaning it was another 5AM start for many of us on the team. At 5AM the rain was there waiting for us. By 5:30 the team was arriving at Turtle Bay Beach Club hotel, where coffee and tea was being served with a steady flow of riders coming in.
Every year on day two there’s this sense in the air that the day is going to be bigger with more at stake than the day before. The rain subsides between 6:00 hrs and 7:00 hrs and like clockwork at 7:00 it begins coming down heavily.The race is delayed. This hiatus only creates more tension. Everyone is in place waiting for the riders to get into their starting positions down the road from the Watamu Junction. Tension builds for what seems like an eternity. Until finally the rain gives way for the riders to make it to the start line.
Something great had been achieved by the end of day two and anyone who completed the race is a champion in their own right. The race was done and in record timing, by Joseph Nyaga from team Sossi safari simbaz coming in at 02:59:10!!
Overall the race was a great success despite the challenges with the weather. We came together as A rocha staff, marshalls and riders to ensure it was a fun adventure packed weekend for everyone involved. For me it was a great opportunity to take my action sports photography to the next level. The rain was challenging not only for the riders but it was also hard trying to keep my camera kit dry. It was an eventful, fulfilling experience for me and i am already excited and looking forward to out next MTB challenge.