“One of the top ten races to run in your life.” -- Runner’s World
Tusk’s Lewa Safari Marathon invites participants from all over the globe to compete in an internationally acclaimed event, running through one of Africa’s most spectacular wildlife conservancies. Regarded by Runner’s World as one of the world’s top ten “must do” marathons, runners of all abilities take part. The event has become one of Kenya’s major sporting events. Individuals and corporate teams enjoy an unforgettable experience running alongside some of Africa’s most amazing wildlife and witnessing firsthand the difference made by the funds raised.
The Lewa Safari Marathon was first held at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in 2000 with 180 participants. In 2019 the event attracted 1,400 runners and raised more than £400,000 for projects across Kenya.
We remain hopeful that the 2021 Lewa Marathon will go ahead but please bear with us as we navigate the issues around the global pandemic. The good news is that there will definitely be a Virtual Lewa Safari Marathon on 26th June, so if international travel is difficult, you can join in wherever you are in the world! Please check the website: www.lewasafarimarathon.com.
International participants usually arrive on the Thursday beforehand to make the most of the amazing location and to acclimatise. Travel and accommodation can be arranged with Exceptional Travel at a range of luxurious safari lodges and tented camps in and around Lewa. Our travel partner can also arrange visits to other magnificent Kenyan wildlife destinations.
— The entry fee for both the full and half marathon events is £220 pp —
— Each competitor is asked to raise a minimum of £1,750 for Tusk —
— Spectator entry fees also apply & there is a children’s race —
— Watch this space for updates on 2021 Entry & Disclaimer Forms —
Please note: these prices are subject to confirmation and may change for 2021.
The event is run within the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and through some of East Africa’s most beautiful scenery. Mount Kenya lies to the south and there are breathtaking views north towards Samburu and Mount Ololokwe. The heavily protected 61,000 acre conservancy is home to over 100 rhino, herds of elephant, big cats, and a vast assortment of plains wildlife including giraffe, buffalo, the rare Grevy’s zebra and much more.
The course is set on dirt roads over an undulating 13-mile course through the reserve, across savannah plains, along river banks and through acacia woodland before finishing close to Lewa’s headquarters. The full marathon is two laps of the same course.
The race begins in the early morning before the heat of the sun gets too much. The altitude (Lewa is at 5,550ft above sea level) adds to the challenge. The course records are 2:18:42 for the full marathon, and 1:05:00 for the half.
A typical itinerary is as follows:
Thursday
Wednesday – Most international participants fly into Nairobi
Fly to Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
Arranged visits to projects (see over)
Short optional training run
Game drives and “sun-downers” in the bush!
Friday
Arranged visits to marathon-funded projects
Further game drives, rest and relaxation
Lewa Safari Marathon briefing at 6pm
Saturday
Race day!
Main race starts at 7:15am
Prize-giving at finish at 12:30pm
Sunday
Depart Lewa Wildlife Conservancy for travel elsewhere in Kenya or back to Nairobi for an overnight flight to the UK, arriving in time for the joys of Monday morning!
Please contact the Tusk team for registration information for the 2021 Marathon and follow #LewaSafariMarathon on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for our latest updates and images.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and its devastating global effects, Tusk and the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy replaced the 2020 Lewa Safari Marathon with the "Virtual Lewa Safari Marathon".
SEE AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Each participant is asked to raise a minimum of £1,750 in sponsorship, and many go on to raise considerably more. All the funds raised are invested directly into Tusk’s projects in Kenya – including the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy.
The Lewa Safari Marathon has so far generated more than £6m
The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is renowned worldwide for its innovative and highly successful community-led conservation work, and it has been one of Tusk’s major partners right from the start. Their pioneering work has helped recover Kenya’s black rhino population from the brink of extinction, and protects a quarter of the world’s critically endangered Grevy’s zebra. Lewa’s community development programme provides water for drinking and irrigation, and supports agriculture, healthcare and road infrastructure. The Lewa Education Programme currently supports 16 primary schools, 3 secondary schools, and over 13,000 children.
The Lewa Safari Marathon participants not only see Lewa’s incredible wildlife that their fundraising efforts help protect, but also share a memorable experience visiting water projects and schools, gaining a full understanding of the difference they are making. You can find out more at www.tusk.org/tusk-projects
N.B. The Lewa Safari Marathon is unique and should not be viewed like the many City marathons held around the world. This event has been established and organised every year by Tusk as the charity’s own flagship fundraising initiative to support specific conservation, education and community projects funded by Tusk in Kenya. Tusk therefore asks all prospective runners to note that by entering this event, they are required to raise funds for the Lewa Safari Marathon’s existing projects. Unfortunately, Tusk is not in a position to accept entries from runners who wish to use this event to fundraise for other charities.
It was tough - tougher than anything I’d been faced with before and required every inch of my energy, stamina and stubbornness... What got me through was the knowledge of what we were raising money for, the children who sang for us in their classroom built by Tusk and the communities that will benefit from a new reservoir. This is what the Safari Marathon is about.
Pippa Middleton - Full Marathon competitor 2015
MORE THAN JUST A RACE
With a prize awarded to the team that raises the most for Tusk’s projects, the event has also become an incredibly popular (and competitive) team-building event for corporate teams. Artemis Investment Management LLP, BlackRock, Goldman Sachs, Emso, Investec Asset Management and UBS all regularly enter teams, and Tusk would would love to see more joining the competition!
Please contact the Tusk team for registration information for the 2021 Marathon
and follow #LewaSafariMarathon on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for our latest updates and images.
With your generous support, Tusk can, and will, continue to make a lasting difference for the wildlife and people of Africa. More than 80% of your donation will go directly towards the cause.
There are lots of fun and fantastic ways to get involved and raise much needed funds for Tusk and our work in Africa. We’re here to support you along the way…
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Pippa Middleton - Full Marathon competitor 2015