The annual Safaricom Marathon will this year be held on Saturday 30th June 2018 in Lewa. The marathon is an initiative of Tusk Trust and the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy with Safaricom as the title sponsor.
The marathon is held to raise funds for wildlife conservation and community development. It has supported the conservation of some of Kenya’s highly endangered species, notably the Black Rhino, the Leather-back Turtle, Grevy’s Zebra and Mountain Bongo. The funds have supported community projects around education, healthcare, employment and economic empowerment in the Central, Northern, Western, Rift and Coastal regions.
13,000 runners have taken part in the race over the 19 years it has existed and over Ksh. 675 Million has been raised (Ksh. 40 Million was raised in 2017).
Among the projects that have been benefited from the funds raised include:
- Lewa Conservancy
- Northern Rangelands Trust
- Mt. Kenya Trust
- Ngare Ndare Forest Trust
- Space for Giants
- Koiyaki Guide School
- Olare Orok Conservation Trust
- Lamu Marine Conservation Trust
- Watamu Turtle Watch
- Bongo Surveillance Project
- Kibodo Trust
- Tsavo Trust
- Ol Pejeta Conservancy
- Big Life Foundation
- Borana Conservancy
As the title sponsor of the marathon, Safaricom will donate Ksh. 14.8 Million this year.
The Safaricom Marathon will have three race categories:
- 5KM Children’s Fun Run for 10 to 14 year olds and 15-17 year olds
- Half Marathon (21KM) for individuals, teams and corporates
- Full Marathon (42KM), which is open to individual runners
Last year, Philemon Baaru successfully defended his title in the full marathon while Margaret Lepakana won the women’s title. Philemon Kiprono dominated the men’s Half Marathon while the women’s 21km race went to Betty Karambu.
The marathon will be held on Saturday 30th June 2018 and you can register for it here safaricommarathon.co.ke/register.