On November 15, a team of 11 runners will take on an extraordinary challenge: running a combined 200 kilometers (124 miles) across the Northern Mara ecosystem in Kenya. The 50 kilometer UltraMARAthon event is run in support of Mara Elephant Project, the conservancy rangers, and Africa Mission Services (AMS). Our team is running to raise funds for the AMS Outpatient Expansion Project.
For years, the AMS Community Health Center has been a lifeline for families in the Maasai Mara. Now, the clinic is preparing for a full renovation and expansion of the outpatient department.
This project will transform healthcare in our region in these ways:
- An Emergency Room – providing emergency care for patients in crisis, where none currently exists.
- Specialized Care – dedicated spaces for urgent care, dental services, HIV counseling and testing, and the region’s first-ever eye clinic.
- Improved Infrastructure – a dental lab, storage, and utility spaces to improve safety, efficiency, and quality of care.
Every dollar goes directly to the AMS Outpatient Expansion Project which will increase access to essential healthcare for the Maasai community and build a healthier future for generations to come.
We aim to raise $50 for every kilometer we run, toward a final goal of $10,000 to complete the project.
Follow the journey!
Insta: @ultra_mara_thon
Insta: @africamissionservices
Meet the Runners
Francis Aho: Director of AMS Women’s health center, running 50k
- Fun fact: she was born in Switzerland, grew up in America, lives in Kenya
Team of 2
Lindsey Aho: AMS mission trip communication and logistics, running 25k
- Fun fact: she loves growing flowers
Serah Muthoka: works for Mara West/AMS, running 25k
- Fun fact: she started running in 2021 and has already run the 2 and 4 person relay, and the 50k of the UltraMARAthon!
Team of 4
Dustin Aho: Mara West manager, AMS missions director, running 12.5k
Fun fact: he used to have a live snake collection
Alan Hivale: from Chico, California, physical therapist, running 12.5k
Ali Hivale: from Chico, California, dental hygienist, running 12.5k
Peter Nelson: from Ohio, internal medicine doctor, running 12.5k
Student Missionaries from Walla Walla University - Team of 4
Makenna Shirinzadeh: dental hygiene student, working at the AMS clinic, running 12.5k
- Fun fact: she can blow up a balloon with her nose
Kayelynn Welty: studying English and Secondary Education, teaching at the Kensington girls high school, running 12.5k
- Fun fact: she’s been to 48 states
Braiden Ermshar: studying business finance, teaching at the Oloosinon primary school, running 12.5k
- Fun fact: his favorite hobby is dirt biking
Ethan Hickok: biology pre-med student, working at the AMS clinic, running 12.5 k
- Fun fact: he’s a twin
