10 February 2025
Fridah Ndinda & Dennis ‘The Running Schoolboy’ Shine in Dubai – A Trip of Growth & Triumph
Kenya’s rising long-distance Running stars, Fridah Ndinda and Dennis ‘The Running Schoolboy’, have returned from a transformative two-week training and competition tour in Dubai, where they delivered outstanding performances at the Buji2Buji Half Marathon. This trip, organized by DBA Africa in partnership with Everybodies Nutrition, was designed to expose these young talents to elite-level training, sports science, and international competition—proving to be a game-changer in their athletic development.
From 3 Podium Finishes to a Half Marathon Breakthrough – A Tour of Milestones
Fridah and Dennis kicked off their Dubai campaign with dominant performances at:
- Ultimate Athletics 3km
- RAK Half Marathon
- Sketchers 10km
Both athletes secured first-place finishes and achieved personal bests (PBs), showcasing their immense potential on the international stage.
However, this trip wasn’t just about racing—it was about learning from the 1%, the elite runners who set the standard in long-distance racing. As part of DBA Athletics’ sports development mission, the tour provided them with world-class training facilities, exposure to top-tier competition, and insights into elite-level performance strategies.
Fridah Ndinda’s Elite-Class Performance
At the Buji2Buji Half Marathon, Fridah finished 4th in the elite women’s category, clocking an impressive 1:10:21. Her strong showing at the RAK Half Marathon a week earlier earned her a spot among the world’s best, competing against elite athletes such as:
- 3rd: Jackline Cherono (Kenya) – 2nd place, Haspa Marathon Hamburg (2024)
- 2nd: Eilish McColgan (Scotland) – Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist (10,000m), 4-time Olympian
- 1: Yalemzerf Yehualaw (Ethiopia) – London Marathon Winner (2024), World Record Holder (10km road race)
Missing the podium by just over a minute, Fridah proved she is closing in on the global elite. Her performance earned her an invitation to race in Madrid, with additional races lined up in China and South Africa—a testament to her rising status in international athletics.
Dennis ‘The Running Schoolboy’ Claims His First International Podium
For Dennis, the Buji2Buji Half Marathon was a defining moment. Competing in the open category, he secured a Personal Best and finished 3rd out of 10,000 participants—his first-ever international podium finish.
This is a massive leap for the young runner, who started this trip with no prior experience in major international races. While both Fridah and Dennis specialize in 5km and 10km events, competing in a half marathon tested their endurance, pacing, and mental strength—key elements for long-term success in elite running.
Beyond Racing – Learning the Science of Elite Performance
This tour wasn’t just about running—it was about understanding what it takes to become a world-class athlete. Thanks to DBA Athletics, Fridah and Dennis gained invaluable knowledge in:
• Recovery & Injury Prevention – Ice baths, stretching routines, and proper warm-ups.
• Performance Nutrition – How to fuel the body before, during, and after races.
• Strength & Conditioning – Building endurance and speed with elite training programs.
• Mindset & Mental Strength – Learning focus, motivation, and race-day strategies.
• Personal Branding & Social Media Training – The importance of marketing themselves as professional athletes.
These lessons are crucial in bridging the gap between raw Kenyan talent and the professional standards of the world’s best runners. DBA Africa remains committed to exposing young talents to these high-performance methods, ensuring they are not just great runners but well-rounded athletes ready for the global stage, and off it.
A Bright Future Ahead
With this experience under their belts, Fridah and Dennis return to Kenya as stronger, smarter, and more determined athletes. Fridah’s invitation to Madrid is proof that she is on the path to greatness, while Dennis’ first international podium shows that his journey is just beginning.
The Dubai tour has set a new standard for how young Kenyan athletes can develop into world-class runners. They have learnt about the non-negotiables and the 1%s required to compete internationaly.