Safaricom Marathon 2018

“One of the top ten races to run in your life.” -- Runner’s World

Tusk’s Safaricom Marathon, organised in partnership with Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, is regarded as one of the world’s top ten marathons. This unique event has raised millions of dollars since 2000 to fund Tusk's wildlife conservation, community development, education and healthcare initiatives across Kenya.

Click here to read the latest news about the 2018 event and get results. 


The course is set on dirt roads over an undulating 13-mile course through some of East Africa’s most beautiful scenery, across savannah plains, along river banks and through acacia woodland before finishing close to Lewa’s headquarters. Mount Kenya lies to the south and there are breathtaking views north towards Samburu and Mount Ololokwe.  The event offers the  unforgettable experience of running alongside some of Africa’s most amazing wildlife, as 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 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 full marathon is two laps of the same course.

The entry fee is £200 per person, and each participant is asked to raise a minimum of £1,500 in sponsorship, with many going on to raise considerably more. All the funds raised are invested directly into Tusk’s projects in Kenya – including the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. As well as seeing Lewa’s incredible wildlife that their fundraising efforts help protect, runners get the chance to visit some of the other initatives supported by  the marathon – such as local schools, water projects and health clinics – to witness firsthand the difference that the funds raised will make.

Feeling Inspired?

Entry for the 2018 Marathon has now closed. Please contact mary-jane@tusk.org for information on the 2019 Marathon, and follow the #SafaricomMarathon on FacebookInstagram, and Twitter for our latest updates and images.

Safaricom Marathon Runners and Mount Kenya Safaricom Marathon Runners and Mountain Safaricom Marathon Runners and Impala.  With Thanks to Emma Craig Safaricom Marathon Runner and Rhino Safaricom Marathon Runners and Rhino Safaricom Marathon Running with Waterbuck Safaricom Marathon Runners with Choppers Safaricom Marathon Mzee Safaricom Marathon Start Line Up Safaricom Marathon Aerial of Start Safaricom Marathon Kids Race Start Safaricom Marathon Start Safaricom Marathon Water Station 5km
Pippa Middleton

To share the moments, the scenery, the experience and the knowledge that all the effort and struggle I put in will go directly back to the Kenyan landscape and community that I'd been running in. That is why it's worth it. That is what you train for and nothing has felt more satisfying and rewarding in a very, very long time

Pippa Middleton

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