Racing in Africa
Participating in Epic Racing Events across Africa
We have selected some of the most epic races across Africa and will happily assist our guests who wish to participate by handling race registrations and all related travel needs. Below you will find a list of all running events currently on offer.
Cape Peninsula Marathon, South Africa
Billed as Africa’s fastest marathon, the popular Cape Peninsula Marathon and Half Marathon serve as s a qualifying event for both the Two Oceans and the Comrades marathons. The largely flat, straight trot on tarmac roads from Capetown’s city center to Simon’s Town offers runners the chance to improve their times, get a good seeding as well as cram in some last-minute training for other major races. Distance: 42.2km, 21.1km
www.topevents.co.za/calendar/cape-peninsula-marathon
Big Five Marathon, South Africa
The Big Five Marathon is held among the wildlife of the South African savanna. Runners from all over the world meet in one of the most spectacular “Big Five” game reserves in Africa. In these magnificent surroundings, exciting game drives can be combined with a challenging marathon route going right through the habitat of the most famous African game: Elephant, Rhino, Buffalo, Lion and Leopard. No fences, no rivers, nothing at all separates the runners from the African wildlife.
www.big-five-marathon.com
Wildlife Marathon, Kenya
The Kenya Wildlife Marathon and Half-Marathon and 50K take place each year in October. The race course is a variation of the Lukenya Trail Run course but with different distances, i.e 10 km trail run, 21 km trail run and 42 km trail run. Encompassing hundreds of acres of grasslands, rocky hills and river-beds, the Lukenya Sanctuary is just that, a slice of natural paradise. Teeming with Zebras, Wildebeests, Giraffes and more, humans remain the distinct minority at this veritably unspoiled reserve. Match this with the reliably beautiful weather Kenya enjoys in lying by the equator, and it becomes quite clear why we chose Lukenya Hills as the setting for our Safari Marathon.
www.kenyawildlifemarathon.com
Kilimanjaro Marathon, Moshi, Tanzania
The Kilimanjaro Marathon, Half Marathon and Fun Run (5 km) is going into its 14th year. As a fully registered IAAF race, the marathon has official marshalling, time-keeping and refreshment points at regular intervals. It may be used as a qualifier for the Comrades. The race takes place on the last Sunday in June every year at the base of Mt Kilimanjaro in the little town of Moshi at an altitude between 830 m and 1150 m above seal level, on good tarred roads. The marathon is a 10.5 km loop where the runners circle the same course 4 times. The Mt. Kilimanjaro Marathon does not invite any professional runners. Every year an amateur runner wins.
www.kilimanjaromarathon.com
Safaricom Marathon, Kenya
Tusk’s Safaricom Marathon and Half Marathon allow participants from all over the globe to compete in an internationally acclaimed event whilst running through one of Africa’s most breathtaking wildlife conservancies. Although regarded as one of the toughest marathons in the world, it is regarded by Runner’s World as one of the world’s top ten “must do” marathons. The race is run on dirt roads, over two 21 km loop for the half-marathon through the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. Run on a rough terrain and under harsh climatic conditions at an average altitude of 1700 meters above sea level, it is an enticing experience which has continued to inspire distance runners and athletic fans alike.
www.safaricommarathon.com
Standard Chartered Marathon Nairobi, Kenya
The Nairobi International Marathon, held at 1700 meters above sea level, is the highest race in the Greatest Race on Earth (GROE) circuit. More than 16,000 athletes from various parts of the country and across the world descend every October on the streets of downtown Nairobi to grace the biggest marathon in Africa. There is also a half marathon, a 10 km and a 4 km Fun Run.
www.nairobimarathon.com
Victoria Falls Marathon, Zimbabwe
This stunning marathon crosses the Victoris Falls Bridge over the Zambezi River which is also the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia. The course also goes through a game park where runners are bound to see some African Wildlife. The marathon race route is fast and relatively flat and is well supported by regular water points and cooling down sections. A full marathon, half marathon and a 7.5 km fun run is available offering the social runner some of the most spectacular scenery in Africa. The full marathon is a ‘double loop.
Two Oceans Marathon, Capetown, South Africa
The Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon, which is arguably one of the world’s most beautiful sporting events, invites local and international competitors to push their bodies to the limit every Easter Saturday in Cape Town. As in past, the grueling 56-km run (the ultra marathon), alongside the 21-km half marathon and the various associated trail and fun runs, draws sporting enthusiasts from across the globe to the scenic Cape Peninsula for a unique and trying athletic experience. Inaugurated in 1970, the competition has developed into the biggest and most popular road race in South Africa, with 11’000 runners taking part in the ultra marathon and 16’000 runners taking part in the half marathon each year.
Eco-friendly Marathon, Mahe, Seychelles
The Seychelles Islands… the land of perpetual summer where a friendly, people and a vibrant, authentic culture conspire with legendary natural beauty and uncanny tranquility to offer the vacation of a lifetime. Against this backdrop, every year in late February, runners of the Seychelles Eco-Friendly Marathon will set off from Beau Vallon, covering the Northern and North Eastern areas of the main island of Mahe, as well as its capital, Victoria. As for the structure of the marathon, there is something for a wide range of fitness levels – from a 5km course to full marathon. The Seychelles Eco-Friendly Marathon is recognized internationally through the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) label.
The Great Ethiopian Run
The 10 k event is the biggest running event in Africa with more than 40,000 participants, 500 elite runners and several hundred runners from overseas. The run which takes place every November in the capital city of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, at an altitude 2’600 meters above sea, is a must do event in the running calendar.
www.ethiopianrun.org
Ethiotrail
Ethiotrail is an international trail race taking place in Ethiopia’s Abyatta and Shalla National Park in located in the Great Rift Valley. The race covers 3 different distances, 12 km, 21 km and a 42 km marathon with 1’200 meters positive uphill. If you want to live a unique experience and spend an unforgettable running vacation in one of the most fascinating natural landscapes of Africa, then Ethiotrail is the right choice for you! You can hike or run any of the 3 distances and experience an authentic trail race in the Great Ethiopian Rift Valley. 20% of the income from Ethiotrail will be reinvested for the conservation of the park, and to improve social service for the communities living in and around the park.
www.ethiotrail.com