Safaricom Marathon - Race Reviews

In my quest to run a marathon on every continent, I picked Safaricom for 2019. This was #4 and the hardest yet but WONDERFUL! The whole trip was organized exceptionally well with the travel agency and Tusk, the charity this race supports. I was a little unsure about the charity part since I never heard of Tusk. The day before the race, we went to see a school, water project and clinic all funded by Tusk with their staffers from the UK. It was amazing! After the marathon, we visited Uganda and their schools were not nearly as well run and funded as the Tusk programs. I say that in case of concern, but once there I was so proud to have fundraised for such a diverse and robust charity helping with so many projects in Africa. The race - I trained with hills and elevation but when there and combined with the heat - the 2nd lap was unfortunately half walk and run. To put in perspective, my best marathon was Amsterdam at 4:45. Safaricom took me 6 hours. The volunteers on the trail were amazing! They have people on motor bikes checking on you and the water stations too. I prefer solo running but some of the stations had people dressed up as clowns, music, and woman giving out roses if you want some fan fair but it does get quieter for round two. They also have water misters that were wonderful! The aid stations were always staffed until the end and perfectly placed when you needed them. I have a great picture with a zebra in the background as I ran mile 14 solo. Tip - There are a lot of local half marathoners that are walkers. If I were to run this again, start in the front behind the elite runners. I spent a lot of energy trying to pass these slow half marathoners to get the 1st part done before the heat kicked up. They request people walk on the left but no one was there at the briefing to pay attention. I was shifting left to right and the middle of the trail for those first few miles and sections there after were sand. I felt like I used extra energy that I could have saved for the 2nd 13 miles. As I had read, when you start that 2nd lap it's a totally difference race. Everyone is finally gone and to me this is where it began. The same trail is all your own - running thru Africa! And this is where you know the hills are coming, it's getting hotter, and you gotta be ready to keep pushing. It is worth it! I was able to run the last 3 miles since it was flatter and down hill too. Also, my husband spectated from the water station run by the lodge we stayed at. He even had a great time. He thought so highly of the race, and does not run, but said in a few years he would like to return and run the half. We loved our time in Lewa Downs and have memories for ever!

What an experience! This marathon is challenging - between the altitude, the hills, and the heat - so you're not aiming for a PR. But it's amidst beautiful scenery, it's pretty well organized, and it's for a good cause.

It's possibly the wildest adventures you'll ever do. The course takes you through Lewa safari park with wild animals roaming around. They have helicopters hovering over the course to look for animals getting close to the runners path and if they spot one, they lower the helicopter to chase them away! I booked all my travels through www.steeboksafaris.com. George Karuku is a wonderful man. He put together an itinerary for me including the marathon and a safari costing much less than the other options.

Great, tough, course. Average altitude just under 5,600 ft, 16 miles of hills, 90 degree heat at finish, no trees, few spectators, all trails. Mentally tough. The second loop is a repeat of first loop, but without the half runners. If you thought it was hard the first time, the second loop screams 'now do it in the heat and completely fatigued'. Add 45 minutes to an hour to your average time. Only 121 finishers in 2013, 90% of runners do the half. Glad I went the distance. I'll never forget it. Marathon Tours made everyday an adventure. Highly recommended.

If you want an amazing adventure and race of a lifetime, then this one is for you. The course was very challenging (high elevation, hilly, sunny, and hot) but the scenery was amazing. The race was extremely well organized and everyone was well taken care of. There are plenty of water stops along the way and they are well equipped with water, sponges, oranges and a local electrolyte drink. The volunteers, spectators, and everyone involved with the race were outstanding. If you are running the full, you can go for long stretches without seeing anyone. I entered through Marathon Tours and they did a fantastic job providing us with a trip of a lifetime.

You will never understand the challenge of such a wild run unless you participate in it. There is reason to be nervous because of the jungle's big five (since they may be roaming around waiting for prey), but the organizers were excellent and would be able to handle any risky situations. Keep it up!

This is one of the toughest marathons in the world - the only one where wild animals are privileged to be among the spectators. The 21K was a loop of ascents and descents, which were quite challenge to those who had not trained enough. The 42K was a repeat loop of the 21K, and I must say, "kudos" to those who completed it. The organization was done to perfection, and every runner was taken care of individually - from the rabbit-paced to the snail-paced, and from the start to the finish. Water points were a bit spaced out, but everything I needed was in place when I got there (from fruit to energy drink). Spectators really boosted my morale and kept me going with their cheering and dances, as most of us struggled to be finishers! the last kilometer was my longest and toughest, but my slogan - "stopping is a crime" - held me back from walking. I finished strong and weak, and recorded a life-time experience. This is something you must do at least once in your life!

I entered the marathon through Marathon Tours. The course was a two-loop trek. The first time around there is plenty of company as the half-marathon runners start with the full. The course was pretty desolate the second time around. There were times that there were no other runners in sight ahead or behind me. I always felt very safe, though. I saw one elephant being ushered off the course by a helicopter but otherwise not a lot of animals out and about. The helicopter and spotter plane meant to keep away dangerous animals also tend to scare off the benign ones. Definitely carry your own liquids/fuel as the aid stations are spaced far apart and the climate was a challenge (high-altitude, very sunny). Bottled water and an energy drink were available on the course (I brought my own Gatorade from home). There were a few significant uphill climbs. Spectators are few and far between but are very enthusiastic. Kenya was beautiful and I highly recommend the Masai Mara extension package (definitely the highlight of the trip and I would have considered the trip almost pointless without it). A good percentage of our tour group came down with a 24-hour GI tract bug (a few people were unable to attempt the race because of it), but I suppose that is a risk with any destination marathon of this nature. Definitely recommend as a destination race.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The views along the course are breathtaking. Although spectators are small in number, they make up for it in enthusiasm. The Kenyan people couldn't be kinder or more hospitable. Marathon Tours and Travel organized a wonderful trip. I don't know how I will ever top this marathon experience.

This is one of the most amazing races on Earth! No place on the planet can you expierience anything like this! When we first got there we had a little trouble gwtting our tent reservations organized, but the staff was quick to help and erected another tent for the rest of my team in no time at all. Thanks Carol! The food was good and the service was equaly as good. Thr race is a grouling one but it is among the most incredable scenery on earth. After the race a nice cooldown masage is a much appreciated welcome. The party at night after the race is a lot of fun! The Calabash Band plays and keeps the party going as long as you can handle. They are no doubt the best band in Kenya. Don't worry though, if you are not up for the party the camping area is far enough away to get your peace and quiet. I had one of the best weekends I have had in Kenya yet!

I ran this marathon in 2003 and absolutely loved the whole experience. To date, it was the most difficult run I ever completed, but it was SO worth it! Yes, if you're doing the full marathon, you may get a bit lonely out there; however, the aid stations are fairly close together so you will see plenty of helpful humans along the way. The Kenyans are wonderful hosts and provide great crowd support near the start and finish. There are some hills and quite a few rocky sections on this course, and a person should stop and drink at every aid station. Don't forget your sunscreen too. I'd love to go back and do the half marathon for fun, having already done the full course. Marathon Tours and Travel does an excellent job of organizing an excursion to this marathon.

Great chance to run an unusual marathon in a wildlife conservancy with the beautiful Mt. Kenya to gaze at when the going gets tough (which it will!). Excellent organization and competitors ranging from world-class Kenyans to back-of-the-pack plodders. Game drives are a must. Raised money for a very good cause too. Don't expect crowd support all the way as they might have been eaten, but those present are very enthusiastic. A must for the adventurous.

Well organized event, and benefits a good cause. Tough course though - altitude (roughly 6,000 ft.), lots of hills, and warm by the finish. Add at least 1/2 hour to your expected time. Note, you can also run the 1/2 marathon. Highly recommended. Check out marathontours.com if you want a package.

I ran this marathon in 2002 and it was a lot harder than I had expected. There are many hills, rocky paths and the heat combined with the altitude don't make things any easier!! Given that there are only a small number of runners doing the full marathon I found myself completely alone for long stretches of the course which was extremely tough but incredibly enjoyable. If you want a really big challenge (and raise some much needed money for the local communities) then this could be what you are looking for. I would LOVE to do this marathon again.

This is the only marathon that is run in a game park amongst the wild inhabitants. It is also the only marathon in Kenya open to mid and back of the pack runners. The course is spectacular although quite challenging and at altitude of one mile. A herd of zerba crossed the course in front of the lead pack and a few rhino were seen along the way. Thankfully, rangers convinced an elephant and a pair of lioness to wander away from the runners.