Mercy Kilel

Mercy Chemutai Kilel, known as MK in the running community, is a wife, mother of four, and an IT businesswoman. At 42, she has transformed her life through running, proving it’s never too late to start. But her journey isn’t just about running—it’s about the power of community. 

“People assume I’m a born runner because of my name,” she says with a laugh. “But I only started in 2022. I grew up in Mombasa, where all I knew was beach life, not running.” 

Her journey began unexpectedly. “I started because of COVID—or more specifically, the ‘COVID Diet.’” During the pandemic, her family moved to the village, where they ate everything and barely moved. Her weight shot up from 67 to 84kg. 

She struggled with mobility and mood swings. “I was so irritable, snapping over the smallest things,” she recalls. Back in Nairobi, she started walking and joined a boot camp in Karen, where she pushed through her first 5K. 

Through the boot camp, she joined a WhatsApp running group for accountability. Next, she found herself committing to one loop around Vienna, a popular 3.5km loop in Karen, renowned for its flat course and uncongested nature.

When she arrived, a fellow runner teased, “With your name, you shouldn’t be walking. There are no walkers in this run. Come, I’ll pace you.” At first, she struggled to finish one loop, but he pushed her to do another. 

She completed 5K, exhausted yet exhilarated. It felt like a marathon—but it was just the beginning. 

She completed another 5K race—and this time, she medaled. Unlike her first, she ran most of the way, focused on one thing: not getting picked up by the ambulance. 

Buoyed by that success, she signed up for the Stanchart 10K in October, running alongside a friend. By then, the running bug had officialy bitten. There was no turning back.  

Community Influence: “Running Together, Achieving Together” 

For Mercy, running is not a solo endeavor—it’s a shared experience. Her journey into long-distance running began in Kakamega, where she signed up for a 15km race. However, her teammates persuaded her to take on the full 21km distance instead. “She said, ‘You cannot travel all the way to Kakamega and do 15km. We’re all doing 21, and I’m leaving no one behind.’ And she actually didn’t. She pushed us through the hills of Kakamega Forest, up and down the tea farms in 30-degree heat, and we came back to the finish line together. I think from there, I truly fell in love with running.” 

This experience became a pivotal moment in her running journey. It was her first half marathon, and the camaraderie and support from other runners fueled her determination. 

When she decided to take her training to the next level for the Expressway Marathon, she joined Team Chasers, where her goal was to push her pace from seven to five or even four. However, her coaches, Dedan and Jeff, along with her teammates, reminded her that true progress takes time. “They told me it doesn’t work like that. You have to be patient and trust the process,” she says. 

“The running community is my family. They push me, pace me, and celebrate every milestone with me”. 

The club’s daily updates and feedback are key to keeping her motivated. “In the club, you’ll get people who are more experienced in different areas. It could be in strength, it could be in running form. These people will encourage you because in that group we normally post our daily activities. So if you feel like you’re not doing well, but you get feedback that you’re inspiring somebody, it lifts you up.” 

Community Influence: "Running Together, Achieving Together"

For Mercy, running is not a solo endeavor—it’s a shared experience. Her journey into long-distance running began in Kakamega, where she signed up for a 15km race. However, her teammates persuaded her to take on the full 21km distance instead. “She said, ‘You cannot travel all the way to Kakamega and do 15km. We’re all doing 21, and I’m leaving no one behind.’ And she actually didn’t. She pushed us through the hills of Kakamega Forest, up and down the tea farms in 90-degree heat, and we came back to the finish line together. I think from there, I truly fell in love with running.”

This experience became a pivotal moment in her running journey. It was her first half marathon, and the camaraderie and support from other runners fueled her determination. 

When she decided to take her training to the next level for the  Expressway Marathon, she joined Team Chasers, where her goal was to push her pace from seven to five or even four. However, her coaches, Dan and Jeff, along with her teammates, reminded her that true progress takes time. “They told me it doesn’t work like that. You have to be patient and trust the process,” she says.

The club's daily updates and feedback are key to keeping her motivated. “In the club, you’ll get people who are more experienced in different areas. It could be in strength, it could be in running form. These people will encourage you because in that group we normally post our daily activities. So if you feel like you’re not doing well, but you get feedback that you’re inspiring somebody, it lifts you up.”

Traditions That Bind

For most, birthdays mean gifts—perfume, cake, and dinners. But in the running community, birthdays mean running your age in kilometers. 

As Mercy approached her 40th birthday in 2023, friends encouraged her to run 40K. But with the Kilimanjaro Marathon that same month, her friend Linia warned, “You’ll get injured.” Instead, Mercy set her sights on running a full marathon for her 42nd birthday and signed up for the Dubai Marathon 2025— her first international race. 

On race day, everything aligned. The weather was cool, the streets were filled with cheering fans, and she felt at home. “I had a great race. No injuries, no pain.” She had feared “hitting the wall” at kilometer 30, but it never came. Completing the race was exhilarating. 

Beyond training, camaraderie fueled her journey. After major races, her team celebrates “Medal Monday.” When she returned from Dubai, they gathered at Team Chasers in Karen, proudly displaying their medals and sharing stories. 

Mercy’s journey has inspired many, especially mothers, to embrace running. Friends from Nairobi Chapel have joined in after witnessing her transformation into a fit and happy mom of four. 

“They saw how running made me happier and signed up too.” 

For Mercy, running is more than just a sport—it’s a tradition, a celebration, and a way to bring people together. 

Training, Nutrition, and Balance 

Mercy’s training schedule includes running 4-5 days a week during peak training and strength conditioning twice a week. She emphasizes the importance of nutrition, fueling her runs with bananas, electrolytes, and water. Balancing running with her roles as a mother and businesswoman requires careful planning, but she makes it work by waking up early and prioritizing her runs.  

“Running has taught me discipline. I plan my days carefully to make time for my family, work, and running.” 

For Mercy, running is more than physical exercise—it’s a mental and emotional outlet. Long runs help her process thoughts and solve problems. She often has “meetings with herself” during solo runs, using the time to reflect and release stress.  

Future Goals and Next Big Race  

 Mercy Kilel’s story is a testament to the transformative power of running and the strength of community. From walking to completing marathons, she has shown that with consistency, support, and dedication, anything is possible. Her journey continues to inspire others to lace up their shoes and take that first step.  

Looking ahead, Mercy dreams of running the World Marathon Majors. Her next goal is the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, which she hopes to complete this year or next.