Invictus Community Takes on Impact Marathon Kenya Combining Recovery Through Sport with Local Community Action

Last week, members of the Invictus Community travelled to the remote Shompole region of Kenya for an Invictus Adventure that combined a personal sporting challenge with practical work alongside the local Maasai community as a part of the Foundation's Beyond the Games programme.

Delivered in partnership with Impact Marathon, the adventure brought together 26 members of the Invictus Community from 10 nations to take part in a week of community activity, cultural exchange and endurance running in Kenya. The experience culminated in a race, with participants choosing a distance (10km, 21km, 42km) to suit their individual abilities and ambitions.

Throughout their time in Kenya, participants worked alongside members of the local Maasai community, contributing to the refurbishment of a local school and a community farming project focused on supporting local health and wellbeing.

The practical work gave participants an opportunity to contribute to projects that will continue beyond the end of the adventure, working alongside the Maasai people and learning about the priorities of the communities hosting them but also giving them the safe environment to connect with their fellow Invictus Community members.

"This has been lifechanging. A space where connections were made, challenges overcome and transferable skills were utilised," said Jonny Ball, a participant from the UK and competitor at the Invictus Games Dusseldorf 2023.

Jonny was able to connect with fellow participant Dan from Denmark through their work on the community farm that will one day grow tomatoes and their shared experience of having served in Afghanistan, describing it as one of the highlights of his time in Kenya. Jonny and Dan would then go to run a half marathon together on the final day.

Gloria Dimka is a serving member of the Nigerian Air Force, who lost her leg below the knee in a road traffic accident.

Gloria competed at the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 and participating at the Invictus Games, helped her change the way she saw herself, she wanted to come on this Invictus Adventure to continue her recovery journey and push herself.

"I’ve never walked that far before, ever," Gloria said after completing the 10km distance on her prosthetic leg.

"Anytime I’m walking, I feel that I’m going to get tired or sore but I was amazed that today I was not sore, that I could do it. I was really proud of myself. Now I know I can walk to the supermarkets, today showed me that," she said.

"For 11 years since my amputation, I never walked this far. I’m so proud of myself," Gloria said after completing the race.

For the Invictus Games Foundation, adventures like this reflects the wider purpose of its Beyond the Games Programme: ensuring that opportunities to experience the benefits of sport and adventurous challenge continue beyond the Invictus Games themselves.

“This Invictus Adventure to Kenya has been about more than the challenge of a single race. It has been an opportunity for our Invictus Community to work alongside the Maasai people, contribute to the refurbishment of a local school and support a farming project that is vital to the health and wellbeing of the local community. Just as importantly, it has allowed our community to build connections with local people through shared experiences and a common sense of purpose," Fi Bullen, Head of Programmes at the Invictus Games Foundation said.

“These Invictus Adventures also show that there is no single way to take part in sport or challenge yourself. Whether someone is taking on their first 10km, a half marathon or the full 42km marathon distance, there are opportunities for people of all abilities to take part through the Invictus Games Foundation’s Beyond the Games Programme."

"It is about giving people the opportunity to challenge themselves, support their recovery and discover what they can achieve, while ensuring our time in Kenya contributes to a lasting, positive impact for the local community, Fiona continued. ”

This Invictus Adventure was made possible thanks to the Invictus Games Foundation's partnership with Boeing, as the Foundation’s Lead Global Partner.

Beyond the Games Programme

The Invictus Adventure by Invictus Games Foundation's is part of our Beyond the Games programme, which helps maintain connection, purpose and opportunities for recovery year round through sport and adventurous challenges around the world.

By supporting participation in events such as the Impact Marathon Kenya, the Foundation continues to ensure that opportunities for recovery through sport are available throughout the year and beyond the Games themselves.

If you are a member of the international Armed Forces community and were injured or fell ill during or as a direct result of your service, you are eligible to join the We Are Invictus platform and access opportunities Beyond the Games.