Sports Impact

Oct 2025 – Dec 2025

Esther Waweru

Esther Waweru

Nakuru County, Kenya

A professional athlete, Esther was born in Nyahururu in Kenya. She has 7 siblings and is the third from last. She established an organisation called ‘Tapping Talent Foundation’ which seeks to support emerging athletes in her community.

Esther specialises in the half marathon, cross country and road races around 10k to 15k.

While growing up, becoming a professional athlete had never initially crossed her mind although she did find reading about Kenyan marathon legends such as Catherine Ndereba and Tegla Loroupe to be inspirational and admirable.

It was while watching a lady named Naomi Wangui train every morning on a steep slope near hear home that things changed. Esther used to pause from fetching firewood just to watch her run, fascinated by her focus and consistency. Day after day, her discipline inspired something that would later grow into a deep passion for running.

AGN; Is there an athletic goal you would like to achieve before you retire?

EW; I aspire to become the world recorder holder for the fastest half marathon. I would love to become an Olympian.


AGN; What is your most memorable event to date?

EW; It has to be a half marathan I ran in Torino, Italy, i.e. T-fast Mezza Maratona di Torino. I came first and while that was great, it meant more to me because I was competing against some established runners/athletes that had already made a name for themselves.

AGN; Why running?

EW; I was fascinated by the runners I would see training when I was young. On my way to primary school I would stop to watch them and of course I would picture myself doing what they were doing.

It was a natural progression to take up running while at primary school and having done so, I never looked back. I continued through highschool and it was during that time that I started competing internationally.

AGN; Where did your first competitive international race take place?

EW; It was in China. I came fourth and won a prize. Overall it was a positive experience.

AGN; What is the hardest thing about being a professional athlete?

EW; My main challenges are a lack of adequate facilities and the capacity to source adequate professional management.

AGN; Is there a particular athlete that has most inspired you and if so, what was it about them that you found so inspirational?

EW; It would have to be the runner, Catherine Ndereba because of her focus and courage.

AGN; If you could go back in time to advise your younger self, what would you say?

EW; I would tell myself to be more disciplined and more focused on my goals irrespective of the situation. Discipline and focus count for a lot in terms of the quality of outcomes that can be achieved.

AGN; Are you able to sustain yourself financially through your athletics career?

EW; No. I farm to suppliment my income. Farming is also a safeguard in case of injury as no money would be coming in from athletics if I am injured.

AGN; You were born and raised in Nyahururu, what was your upbringing like?

EW; Both my parents were farmers but not on a large scale so my upbringing was fairly modest. At times I ran bare foot due to a lack of funds to buy training shoes. Nyahururu is known for running and a place of natural beauty called Thompson Falls.

Mary Ngugi who finished second in the Boston Marathon, USA in 2021 and also the Olympian, Samuel Wanjiru are both from Nyahururu.

It is a good place to be in if one is interested in running.


AGN; Did you receive any assistance while you were developing as a runner?

EW; I was fortunate to receive some support. I am the third youngest out of 8 children. My older siblings and even at times the younger ones have been supportive in one way or another. My parents also did what they could.

There was an athlete, Naomi Wangui who took an interest in my development as a runner during the early years. She mentored, motivated me and provided some resources. She also took me to a training camp and paid for the first month’s subscription before my parents took over the cost.

Naomi played a crucial part in my development as an athlete and she is a key inspiration for the foundation I set up. I remain grateful for all that she did for me.

AGN; What does your organisation, ‘Tapping Talent Foundation’ seek to do?

EW; The organisation is geared towards the development of emerging talent. In practice it provides mentoring, motivation and career advice. It also provides a degree of sponsorship, e.g. paying for selected athletes to attend training camps or clubs.


AGN; What is the next stage in terms of the growth of your foundation?

EW; I would like to establish a club. At present I send athletes to different clubs but having them all under one roof would be great. My main constraint to actualising this is to find a sponsor or to finance this growth.

AGN; You would like to become a world record holder. What major challenges stand before you and your goal?

EW; Since I have to do other things aside from athletics, maintaing focus can be problematic at times. Keeping to a disciplined training regime and accessing resources that allow me to develop professionally can also be challenging.

AGN; How do you like to spend your free time?

EW; I enjoy hiking in the forest and listening to music.

AGN; Do you have a favorite food?

EW; I do. It is a local dish comprising of corn and beans that is called Githeri. I really love the taste of it.

AGN; What typically makes you laugh?

EW; I enjoy joking around and when people say things that resonate with my sense of humour.

AGN; What is your greatest strength?

EW; I have phenominal self-belief. Even when many others are seeking to dissuade me, if I believe I can do it, I will keep going no matter what.

AGN; What would you like to be rembered for?

EW; I would like to be remembered for showing kindness and love. I would like to be known for exemplifying the dividened that consistently making a positive contribution within the community can yield.

AGN; Is there anything you would like to add?

EW; Not at this time.

Previous ‘Sports Impact’ features are available here; archive

Writer:
Ri Iyovwaye

Editor:
Ri Iyovwaye

© 2025 All rights reserved

on behalf of African Global Networks (AGN) – Oct 2025