Bay to Breakers: Kenya

By Chelsea Kincheloe

Last Sunday, 14 teams ran to support the Daraja girls in Bay to Breakers, a race in San Francisco. Meanwhile, the Daraja girls ran to support their own education on campus in Kenya. This is what happened:

“Today, we ran for our education, may it mean something to you…”

These wise words were spoken by Hellen, our Business Administrator. “Even as we return to our classes and regular schedule, don’t take your education for granted,” she continued.

This is the 7th year the Daraja girls have run for their education in partnership with Daraja enthusiasts in San Francisco, California.

Every year, the girls receive new t-shirts in honor of this event, thanks to a very generous donation from Bay to Breakers (a huge thanks also goes out to our current volunteer, Gregory Love, for bringing the shirts over from the U.S.).

The girls collected their shirts and gathered by the flagpole, holding up handmade signs for photos as they waited for the opening remarks by Mr. C.

Mr. C raised his hands in the air and yelled, “when I say Bay to Breakers, you say Bay to Breakers!”

Mr. C: “Bay to Breakers!”

Girls: “BAY TO BREAKERS!”

Mr. C: “BAY TO BREAKERS!”

Girls: “BAY TO BREAKERS!”

Mr. C then counted to three and unleashed the hordes of girls, who pummeled towards the gate screaming and laughing, some still clinging to the signs they were holding.      

Most of the girls ran as fast as they could while others paced themselves. Stems and I placed ourselves around the course to take photos. The guards stood by the gate, which the girls were returning towards, to cheer on the girls.

Slowly, the girls trickled back in after finishing the race. The most athletic girls were back first, followed by the girls who went for the old half run/half walk, and finished by the walkers. The girls who finished last were welcomed back by cheers from the resting girls.

For the finale, Natalie (Form 4) started singing the Daraja school song, and the rest of the girls quickly sprang to their feet to join in. With that, the event was over and the girls scattered to go shower, rehydrate, and have some downtime.

Thank you to everyone who participated in Bay to Breakers, from California to Kenya!