Lewa Safari Marathon

The Lewa Safari Marathon takes place entirely inside Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in northern Kenya, at an altitude of around 1,700 metres above sea level. Runners compete on dirt tracks that wind past rhinos, elephants, giraffes, and lions - all under the watch of armed rangers positioned along the course. It is consistently ranked among the world’s most unusual marathons, and all proceeds fund wildlife conservation and community projects in the Lewa ecosystem.

The course

The full marathon (42km) and half marathon (21km) courses both run through open savannah, acacia woodland, and rocky scrubland that characterises the northern Laikipia plateau. Altitude and terrain make the course significantly more demanding than a road race at sea level. Most runners finish in well above their usual times. The half marathon is the more popular distance and well within reach for runners without high-altitude training.

Armed rangers are stationed at intervals along the entire course. In the event of wildlife on the track, runners are held in place until the animal moves on - which occasionally adds unexpected minutes to finishing times.

Why attend

Lewa Marathon is not about personal bests. It is a fundraiser with serious conservation stakes. Since 1999, the event has raised millions of dollars for rhino protection, anti-poaching operations, and local schools. Registration fees and accompanying safari packages go directly into those programmes.

The combination of the Laikipia landscape, wildlife encounters mid-run, and the sense of contributing to something meaningful makes this one of the more memorable sporting events in East Africa.

Practical information

• Distance options: Full marathon (42km) and half marathon (21km)
• Elevation: Approximately 1,700m above sea level - plan for altitude adjustment
• Registration: Opens several months in advance via the official Lewa Marathon website; slots fill quickly
• Entry fee: Varies by distance and whether a safari package is included; check current pricing at registration
• Getting there: Lewa is approximately 240km north of Nairobi; charter flights from Wilson Airport to Lewa airstrip are the fastest option (around 1 hour). Road from Nairobi takes 4 to 5 hours via Nanyuki.
• Accommodation: Lewa House and tented camps on the conservancy; book early as race weekend fills months out

We recommend arriving a day before the race to acclimatise and joining a post-race game drive - the conservancy is exceptional for rhino sightings year-round.