At DBA Africa, opportunity drives performance. Through the Athletics Race Fund (ARF) and the Kevin McCool Memorial Fund (KMMF), young runners were able to line up alongside Kenya’s elite at the 2025 Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon. With logistics, transport and accommodation covered, they could focus fully on performance rather than cost, a difference that often separates potential from podium finishes.

Breaking Barriers Through Simple Support

For many talented runners, competing at a national marathon is not a question of ability but access. The ARF and KMMF bridge this gap by covering essentials such as race fees, travel and accommodation. These small interventions have a large impact.

With just a pair of shoes, transport to Nairobi and a race entry, a runner from Eldoret or Iten can go from local unknown to standing shoulder to shoulder with sponsored professionals. This is what changing lives through sport looks like, turning possibility into performance through practical support.

Strong Results Reflect Real Opportunity

At this year’s marathon, ARF and KMMF-supported athletes achieved remarkable finishes.
In the men’s 21 km, James Kangogo placed 9th in 1:03:42 and Laban Kipkemboi 11th in 1:04:06. In the 10 km, Mathew Kiprotich finished 10th with 31:19, while Jacob Chol was 7th.
In the 42 km event, Godfrey Kipruto clocked 2:17:39 to finish 18th, with several others inside the top 50.

Most of these athletes had no means to make it to the race on their own, yet with targeted support they proved they could compete among the best. Their results show how access, not ability, often determines who reaches the start line.

Locally Led and Community-Driven

Both funds reflect DBA’s locally led approach, identifying the real barriers athletes face and addressing them with practical solutions. The ARF and KMMF are managed transparently within the DBA Africa ecosystem, ensuring that every contribution goes directly toward giving athletes a fair platform. This is not charity but structured opportunity. The Nairobi results are more than a finish line. For those who continue to perform, DBA Africa works to connect them to further competition, training and structured support, ensuring that success on the road leads to long-term growth. Each runner’s progress feeds into a larger vision, building systems that help athletes develop through consistent opportunity and ethical guidance.

The ARF and KMMF form part of DBA Africa’s wider ecosystem that connects athletes to development pathways, education and community-based mentorship. They show that targeted, efficient support can change outcomes for athletes and the communities they represent.

A Call to Build on Success

Twenty-three runners competed in Nairobi through these funds. Imagine what ten more partners could achieve. Expanding the ARF and KMMF would mean more young people on starting lines across Kenya and beyond, proving again that talent only needs opportunity.

Through these locally led initiatives, DBA Africa continues to build a system where effort meets structure and where every athlete, regardless of background, has the chance to rise.You can directly support the next group of athletes by contributing to the Athletics Race Fund on this link