The 2026 LOOP Safari Gravel Series kicked off in spectacular fashion at Limuru Country Club on Saturday, drawing hundreds of cycling enthusiasts, community members, and sports stakeholders while marking the official unveiling of the newly renovated cricket pavilion.
The pavilion, which had previously been damaged by a fire incident, has been restored through support from LOOP as part of its broader commitment to investing in communities where it operates. The renovation is expected to revive an important sporting and social hub for Limuru residents and sports lovers.
The unveiling ceremony brought together members of the cycling fraternity, partners, and community leaders who celebrated both the restoration of the facility and the beginning of the highly anticipated cycling series.
Speaking during the event, LOOP DFS Chief Executive Officer Eric Muriuki said the Safari Gravel Race Series has continued to grow significantly since its inception three years ago.
“This year’s Nairobi leg has recorded our largest turnout yet,” Murioki said. “We had 822 registered participants and about 700 spectators, bringing the total attendance to roughly 1,500 people. It shows the cycling community is growing and the sport is gaining traction across the country.”
The Limuru race marked the first leg of the four-part 2026 series. The next event will take place in Naivasha on June 14, followed by another race in Vipingo in August. Organizers have also introduced a new element for the final leg, allowing the cycling community to vote for the venue of the fourth event.
Murioki noted that the series is not only about sports but also about building communities and promoting healthy lifestyles.
“Cycling combines endurance, mental strength, and Kenya’s unique landscapes,” he said. “Our country is naturally suited for endurance sports, and cycling offers both a professional pathway for athletes and a wellness activity for everyday people.”
The race saw strong competition among cyclists, with Kenneth Karaya of Team Amani leading the men’s category, followed by Stanley Ngugi, also from Team Amani, while two-time defending champion Jordan Schleck finished third.
Schleck, who has been cycling competitively for a decade, praised the Limuru course and described the race as both challenging and exciting.
“It’s one of my favorite training locations,” Schleck said. “The rain and mud made the race tougher, but that’s part of the fun of gravel racing. The sport is growing in Kenya, and with more sponsorship and support, we can make it even bigger.”
He also called for increased government involvement in cycling, particularly in ensuring safe racing conditions and infrastructure.
“We need support to close roads during races and create safer spaces for cyclists. Many people want to take up the sport but fear accidents with vehicles,” he said.
Beyond the sporting aspect, LOOP also used the event to showcase its digital financial platform, Loop Biz, which provides merchants with integrated payment solutions and business management tools. The service enables businesses to accept payments from multiple channels—including mobile money, cards, and bank transfers—while also offering features such as inventory management, invoicing, and flexible credit facilities.
According to Murioki, the platform currently has around 400,000 registered merchants nationwide, reflecting its growing reach beyond Nairobi into other parts of the country.
He added that LOOP’s sustainability approach focuses on supporting communities and initiatives that matter to its customers.
“Sustainability is not just about environmental projects like tree planting,” he said. “It’s also about helping our customers grow and thrive, because the success of our customers ultimately determines our own sustainability.”
Organizers also highlighted the growing international profile of the Safari Gravel Series, particularly the Naivasha leg, which is a Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) accredited qualifier. Last year’s Naivasha race attracted more than 70 professional cyclists from different countries, reinforcing Kenya’s emerging reputation as a destination for cycling tourism.
With participation numbers rising annually and increasing interest from both local and international athletes, stakeholders believe the Safari Gravel Series is steadily positioning Kenya as a major hub for gravel cycling in Africa.
As the 2026 series gets underway, organizers say the focus remains on three key pillars that define the event which is community, fun, and wellness values they hope will continue to attract more participants and supporters to the sport.
