Lewa Safari Marathon

The Lewa Safari Marathon takes runners through Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Meru County, Kenya, where the 42km course follows two 20km loops of dirt safari track shared with elephants, rhinos, and other Big Five wildlife under armed ranger escort. Founded in 2000, the event is organized by the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and the Tusk Trust, with Safaricom and Huawei as co-sponsors, and has funded conservation and community projects in northern Kenya for over two decades. Alongside the full marathon, the race offers a half marathon, a 10km Executive Run, and a 5km Junior Fun Run, drawing more than 1,500 participants each year. Runners start before 7:00 AM to beat the equatorial heat, crossing dirt trails at roughly 5,500 feet of elevation with afternoon temperatures reaching into the 90s Fahrenheit. International entrants pay a base entry fee plus a required minimum fundraising commitment that goes directly to conservation and community programs, while Kenyan and East African citizens and residents register without a fundraising minimum. The 2026 edition ran on 27 June; a date for the next edition has not yet been announced.