The Mountains for Medicine (M4M 4.0 Capstone Ride) has officially begun in Kenya, marking the start of a challenging endurance and ministry expedition aimed at supporting the Nia Davenport Medical Centers in Uganda.
The cyclists are undertaking a demanding 503-mile cross-country route through the Kenyan highlands, starting in Nairobi and the surrounding conservancies before traversing central and western Kenya en route to Uganda.
The route presents a significant physical challenge, covering 503 miles with a total elevation gain of 28,377 feet and an elevation loss of 27,663 feet. Riders will descend to a lowest point of 3,700 feet and climb to a highest elevation of 9,800 feet.
The Mountains for Medicine initiative was established by Davenport, an engineering consulting firm, in partnership with Sports Outreach and its founder, Robert Katende. The initiative seeks to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Nia Davenport Medical Clinic, which provides quality healthcare services to hard-to-reach communities in Uganda.
Beyond medical outreach, the initiative also shares the gospel message of Jesus Christ by restoring hope and transforming lives through compassionate healthcare. The medical center serves people from underserved communities, offering treatment, healing, and care regardless of their background.
The annual cycling challenge raises awareness and mobilizes financial support for the clinic’s continued operations. Last August, a team of cyclists completed a 518-mile ride across Uganda to help sustain the medical facility, which is expected to impact thousands of lives.
This year’s capstone ride also highlights the commitment and endurance of the participating cyclists, who continue to combine sport with humanitarian service in support of better healthcare across East Africa.
Speaking to Rora media sports, Sports Outreach Ministries founder Robert Katende said this year’s Mountains for Medicine ride officially began today. He explained that, due to the Ebola outbreak in Uganda, the 2026 edition will be held entirely in Kenya.
“The cyclists will ride from Nairobi through Nakuru to Busia, where they will conclude the event and receive their awards. They will not cross into Uganda because of the Ebola outbreak,” Katende said.
He noted that despite the change in route, the ride remains focused on raising awareness and mobilizing support for the Nia Davenport Medical Centers and their mission of providing quality healthcare to underserved communities.
According to the organizers, the team successfully completed the first stage of the journey and arrived safely at Enkipai Hill Hotel.
“The first ride challenge has been successfully completed. We thank God for His protection throughout the journey and appreciate everyone for their teamwork, resilience, and support,” the organizers said in an update.
The riders will now take time to rest and recover before continuing to the next stage of their journey toward Uganda, carrying forward their mission of bringing hope, healing, and improved healthcare to underserved communities.
