Emily Chepkor

It Started Simple

Emily never planned to start a business. She just wanted some company on her morning runs around Nairobi. "I thought maybe three or four people would show up," she says. "I had no idea what I was getting into."

That was 2022. Today, the We Run Nairobi (WRN) Collective brings together hundreds of runners every week. Some are seasoned runners. Others are complete beginners. What they all have in common is showing up.

More Than Just Running

WRN works because it gives people what they actually need. Some come for accountability – it's harder to skip a run when your friends are waiting. Others come to meet people in a city where making friends as an adult can feel like a challenge.

"I realized running allowed me space to be present," Emily explains. "I wanted to create that same space for other people. It's not about how fast you go. It's about who you meet along the way."

There are no membership fees or fitness tests. Show up in whatever shoes you have, and you're welcome. This openness has created something special – people genuinely care about each other. But it also created a challenge Emily never saw coming.

Learning to Run a Business

As more people joined, Emily found herself doing things she'd never done before. Managing social media accounts. Organizing events. Talking to sponsors. Keeping track of money.

"One day I'm just a person who likes to run," she says. "The next day I'm figuring out road safety, mapping safe routes, and learning how Instagram works. Nobody teaches you this stuff."

The to-do list kept growing:

• Plan routes and safety measures

• Keep everyone informed through social media

• Handle conversations with coffee shops and brands who wanted to partner

• Manage budgets while keeping runs free for everyone

Emily calls it learning on the job. "Every week brings something new. Sometimes it's smooth. Sometimes I have no idea what I'm doing. But the people keep showing up, so I figure it out."

Growing Pains

Success brings its own problems. How do you keep people safe when your group grows from 5 to 50 to 500? How do you welcome newcomers without losing the friendly feeling that made WRN special in the first place?

Emily admits she doesn't have all the answers. "I'm still figuring it out as we go. Some decisions work out great. Others don't. But I've learned to be clear about what we're actually doing here."

Unlike running clubs focused on training for marathons or hitting personal records, WRN is about showing up and being part of something. That simple focus helps Emily make decisions when new opportunities come up – branded gear, charity partnerships, corporate sponsorships.

Saturday Morning Ritual

WRN has become part of Nairobi's rhythm. Saturday mornings start with a run, but they usually continue with coffee, conversation, and making plans for the weekend.

"People go beyond just exercising together," Emily says. "They become friends. I've seen people make great friendships, fall in love, help each other through tough times. The running is just what gets them in the same place."

In the early days, everyone knew each other's names and stories. If someone didn't show up, people noticed and checked in. After runs, the whole group would crowd around one table, sharing breakfast like a big family.

When running became popular worldwide after COVID – boosted by viral running videos from places like London – WRN was ready. The community was already strong, so it became a natural place for new runners to start.

Emily Off the Road

When she's not organizing runs, Emily is quick to point out she loves getting dressed up. "People see me in running clothes and assume that's all I do," she laughs. "But I love my lashes, I love looking pretty, I love nice restaurants and travel."

Emily is also a lawyer and a seasoned runner herself – she's completed 10 marathons and 2 of which were qualifying for and running the Boston Marathon. When she's not running, you'll often find her on the tennis court.

For a while, she kept a vlog showing this other side of her life – favorite outfits, good meals, travel. It’s not all about running splits or training plans. Just Emily living her life, which made her more relatable to the community she was building.

What's Next

Emily is interested in balancing the core of the community even as opportunities for growth present themselves. "The best part about this community is how natural it feels. I don't want to mess that up by trying to grow too fast."

She's focused on making WRN better for the people who already show up. Maybe more structured events. Maybe partnerships that actually benefit runners instead of just bringing in revenue.

"Community doesn't just happen," she says. "You have to build it. And like running, building takes time and patience."

The Real Business

Emily's story shows how communities actually form – through someone willing to show up consistently and care about other people showing up too. The running brings people together, but what keeps them coming back is belonging.

WRN started with an invitation to run. It became an invitation to connect.

WRN Quick Facts:

• Started: 2022

• Format: Weekly group runs, all welcome

• Growth: From 5 friends to hundreds of participants

• Mission: Run together, build together

• Cost: Free