The Lewa Safaricom Marathon, held annually within Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, is a genuinely unusual event in the running world: a certified marathon and half-marathon course that winds directly through an active wildlife conservancy, with armed rangers and spotter vehicles positioned along the route to manage any encounters with grazing zebra, giraffe or other wildlife that might wander close to the course.
The event draws both serious international runners and first-time marathoners drawn by the novelty, and proceeds go directly toward conservation and community development projects across the Lewa ecosystem — making it as much a fundraising event as an athletic one.
What to know about the event
- The marathon typically takes place in June each year — check current dates well in advance, as places are limited.
- Altitude (Lewa sits over 1,700 metres above sea level) makes the course more demanding than a typical road marathon.
- Spectators and participants alike often combine the event with a broader Laikipia safari trip.
- Registration proceeds directly support conservation work across the conservancy.
It's a genuinely rare chance to combine serious athletic effort with a wildlife encounter most safari-goers only get from a vehicle.
