The Safaricom Marathon is an annual fund raising event held at Lewa Downs, about 140 miles north of Nairobi, Kenya.  The race is sponsored by Safaricom in Partnership with the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in order to raise funds for numerous community development and wildlife conservation efforts.

Over 1000 runners from 20 different countries took part in the 12th Safaricom Marathon and Half Marathon which took place Saturday 25th June of this year. Even though the Lewa marathon is regarded as one of the toughest races in the world, running under harsh climate conditions and on rough surfaces, not only professionals but also runners, walkers and amateurs participated in the race.

What makes this marathon unique is that it is run within the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, a protected game reserve  that is home to a variety of large African wildlife to include lions, elephants, rhinoceros, and the greatly feared cape buffalo, located at an altitude of 5,500 feet above sea level.
There are no physical barriers separating the runners from the wildlife, making Lewa a unique experience in the running world.

While the Lewa Marathon gives generously to the surrounding communities of Northern Kenya, its main purpose is to support wildlife conservation. Funds raised from the marathon help support a staff of over 140 armed rangers that protect the animal residents of the Lewa Conservancy. Lewa is the home of over 80 black and white rhinoceros, both of which are endangered. The preserve also boasts a large population of endangered Grevy’s zebra.