The nocturnal practice of running around communities is carried out across Africa’s Lake Victoria region. Closely associated with witchcraft, it sometimes involves running with tamed wild animals for security. Families who engage in it are often both shunned and revered by their communities for their supposed magical powers but many accuse night-runners of practical jokes and house-breaking. However, Jack Songo, who says he’s president of the Night Runners Organisation, told Kenya’s Star newspaper that being categorised and funded as a sport would allow it to host proper competitions.
The paper quotes Songo as saying they’ll even wear clothes if it helps. Critics reportedly say participants scare people by prowling around houses, interfering with their sleep and contradicting biblical teachings. Opponents also rubbish claims that the presence of night-runners in communities reduces crime, saying that if they want to run with other athletes, they should do so in daylight, wearing clothes.
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