TSC Calls on Teachers to Join World Teachers’ Day Marathon Ahead of Prestigious Awards

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has officially called on teachers across the country to register by September 15, 2026, for the upcoming World Teachers’ Day Marathon.

Scheduled for Sunday, September 27, 2026, this landmark sporting event forms a core pillar of this year’s national celebrations leading up to World Teachers’ Day on October 5.

Running under the inspiring theme “Twawaenzi Walimu – Mashujaa Wetu,” the celebrations bridge physical wellness, community engagement, and rigorous professional recognition.

Marathon Details and Registration Guidelines

The TSC-organized marathon will kick off simultaneously at 6:00 a.m. across all eight administrative regions in Kenya. Designed to accommodate varying fitness levels and promote camaraderie among educators, the event features two distinct categories:

• 10 km Race: For endurance runners and fitness enthusiasts looking for a competitive challenge.
• 5 km Race: A shorter, inclusive distance designed for broad participation across all age groups and physical capabilities.

Teachers eager to lace up their running shoes and represent their institutions must complete their registration online by the September 15 deadline. The commission has streamlined the process through a dedicated portal.

Registration Steps:

1. Navigate to the official portal at [https://tsconline.tsc.go.ke/marathon]
2. Input your official TSC Number and National ID/Passport Number.
3. Retrieve the One-Time Password (OTP) sent directly to your registered professional email (mwalimu email).
4. Enter the OTP to authenticate your login and finalize your submission.

By gathering accurate participant data ahead of time, the Commission can efficiently plan logistics, security, and refreshments across all regional venues.

“Your participation will be highly appreciated as we come together to celebrate and honor our teachers during this year’s World Teachers’ Day,” the TSC noted in its official communication.

The Broader Context: The 2026 Awards and Recognition Framework

The marathon arrives at a time of heightened excitement within Kenya’s education sector. It complements the ongoing extensive selection process for the World Teachers’ Day 2026 Awards.

Following the closure of the nomination window on August 26, 2026, selection panels across the country are currently deep into the evaluation trenches—moving from Sub-County reviews through to County and Regional screenings this September.

Reflecting on nearly six decades of managing the teaching service—from 37,000 registered teachers in 1967 to over one million registered and more than 415,000 directly employed educators today—the TSC’s 2026 framework underscores the irreplaceable role of teachers in national development.

Kenyan educators serve a vast learner demographic across early childhood, primary, junior school, senior secondary, and teacher training colleges.

Rigorous Multi-Level Selection Across Diverse Categories

The current September interviews are vetting nominees across 11 core categories designed to capture excellence in every facet of school life.

These range from the Lifetime Achievement Award—honoring veterans with over 20 years of transformative service—to the Early Years Educator Award, which celebrates foundational literacy and play-based pedagogy in lower primary (Grades 1–3).

Other notable categories driving high interest during the current interview cycle include:

Sustainable Development Educator Award: Highlighting champions of school greening, climate change mitigation, and waste management.

Innovation and ICT Integration Award: Recognizing digital pioneers leveraging technology, STEM practices, and competency-based strategies.

Inclusive Educator Award & Child Protection Champion: Honoring those safeguarding vulnerable learners and championing equity.

With award slots progressing through rigorous checks by panels comprising education directors, union representatives (KNUT, KUPPET, KUSNET), and institutional heads, the final 3 national awardees per category will be unveiled during the official October 5 global celebrations.

Uniting Through Fitness and Professional Pride

As educators juggle classroom instruction, curriculum delivery under the Competency-Based Education framework, and preparations for upcoming school milestones, the September 27 marathon offers a refreshing avenue for collective well-being.

Gathering across the eight regions—from the coastal lines of Mombasa to the highlands of Rift Valley and the western circuit—teachers will not only demonstrate physical vitality but also showcase the unbreakable solidarity of the Kenyan teaching fraternity.

Teachers are strongly encouraged to secure their slots via the portal before the midnight deadline on September 15, ensuring they are part of a vibrant Sunday morning dedicated to fitness, unity, and national pride.