The Morogoro International School (MIS) Cross Country team kicked off the year in spectacular fashion with an adventurous outdoor weekend at Kimamba. The inaugural “Kimamba Trails” event, hosted on the scenic estate of New Kimamba Fibres Ltd, combined endurance racing, outdoor education, and team bonding in the heart of Kilosa District, Morogoro Region.
Set against rolling sisal fields and sweeping open landscapes, the event offered students a unique opportunity to compete in a new environment. New Kimamba Fibres Ltd, a family-owned agribusiness managing over 2,600 hectares of sisal and livestock operations in Kilosa, generously hosted the team. As one of Tanzania’s established sisal producers, the company exports high-quality fibre to markets across Asia, Europe, and Africa, blending agricultural tradition with modern sustainable practices.
More Than a Race
The weekend was about more than competition. Students embraced the full outdoor experience, learning valuable camping skills, from setting up tents to preparing for life outdoors as a team. The experience reflected many values in action: resilience, collaboration, responsibility, and respect for the environment.
Day one featured a gentle mile loop designed to test pacing and strategy. Day two pushed athletes further, with both 5K and 10K trail runs demanding determination and perseverance. The varied terrain and natural conditions required runners to adapt quickly, encouraging focus and fresh motivation towards beating some Personal Bests.
Outstanding Performances
Our athletes rose to the challenge with exceptional performances.
Top 5K Finishes:
🥇 1st – Ezra Moore – 26:10.48
🥈 2nd – Zane Barnett – 26:45.15
🥉 3rd – Reuben Shallom – 26:51.28
Top 10K Finishes:
🥇 1st – Samwel Devangwa – 49:33.44
🥈 2nd – Reuben Moore – 49:35.86
🥉 3rd – Tahlia Shallom – 58:00.41
These results reflect not only individual sportsmanship, but also the consistent training, discipline, and commitment shown by the entire team. We are proud of each and every runner who showed up week after week during Tuesday practice. Their commitment, discipline, and willingness to push themselves, even on the toughest training days, paid off at Kimamba.
Gratitude for Community Partnership
A heartfelt thank you goes to the Mbarak Family for their generous hospitality and for opening their estate to our students. Their support made this inaugural event possible and set the foundation for what promises to become a valued annual tradition.
We also extend sincere appreciation to Coach Mbaraka, Mrs. Barnett, and Ms. Cottrell for their dedication in training the team, organising the weekend and supporting the runners. They ensured that the event ran smoothly and that students were well-prepared for both the camping experience and the competition itself.
Living Our Values
“Kimamba Trails” was a lovely example of MIS values brought to life. Students stepped outside their comfort zones, supported one another, and embraced both challenge and adventure as the rains kicked off early this year. They also learned that success is built through preparation, teamwork, and perseverance, lessons that extend far beyond the trail. The Cross Country team returned inspired, united, and motivated for the training and competitions ahead. If this first edition of Kimamba Trails is anything to go by, it promises to be an exciting year for MIS athletics.