Runners Traverse Lewa's Untamed Wilderness in Thrilling Safari Marathon

On October 15, 2025, runners participated in the 25th anniversary of the Lewa Safari Marathon, a unique event that takes place within the 62,000-acre Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in northern Kenya. The race, organized by the Tusk Trust charity in partnership with Lewa and Safaricom, challenges participants to run alongside endangered species like Grevy zebras, reticulated giraffes, and white rhinos.

The marathon, which started at 8 AM, saw over 1,400 runners from around the world navigate the sandy roads of Lewa, with a helicopter overhead herding animals away from the track to ensure the safety of both runners and wildlife. The event, which originated around a bush fire in the 1980s, has raised more than $10 million since its inception, with funds going towards community development, healthcare, and education initiatives across Africa.

Runners were able to witness the impact of the marathon firsthand, visiting Rugusu Primary School, where newly purchased land was entirely funded by the event. They also learned about the Lewa Education Programme, which supports 27 surrounding schools and provides curriculum support, student scholarships, and infrastructure improvements. Additionally, the marathon has funded 17 water projects that benefit over 50,000 people in the local communities.