Last year’s aptly themed #YouRunIWin, marked 18 years of conservation and community impact totaling $6,100,000 invested into over 30 Kenya-wide conservation projects and award-winning community development and conservation programmes that reach out to hundreds of thousands each year.
This year, #SafaricomMarathon will have run for 19 years and has since contributed immensely to the community and to wildlife conservation.
“Conservation of our environment and wildlife is no longer a choice,” Joe Ogutu, Safaricom’s Director of Innovation and Strategy
Safaricom, Tusk Trust and Lewa Wildlife Conservancy this morning launched the 19th edition of the Safaricom Marathon in Lewa continuing the great conservation efforts not just in the Mount Kenya region but going as far as the Coast.
With up to 13,000 runners from all over the world having taken part in the race since inception and over Kshs 40 million that was raised in 2017 bringing the total amount raised over the 19 years to over KES 675 million; the Safaricom Marathon is one of the world’s greatest races to participate in and this year’s will be no different.
“For the last 19 years, the Safaricom marathon has had a huge impact on the lives of communities in Lewa and the protection of the endangered species in the conservancy and across the country. We remain committed to supporting this cause because we have seen the difference it’s making to wildlife conservation and to the communities in and around the projects we support,” said Joseph Ogutu, Director, Strategy – Safaricom.”
This year, the marathon seeks to raise awareness about the projects and communities that have benefitted from funds raised.
Among the projects 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 and Borana Conservancy.
The marathon 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.
In addition, the funds support community initiatives around education, healthcare, employment and economic empowerment in different geographies, with beneficiaries spanning Central, Northern, Western, Rift and Coastal regions.
“The marathon’s phenomenal impact is far reaching across Kenya and the awareness it raises for our benefices’ projects spans across the globe, an achievement that everyone at Safaricom, Lewa and Tusk Trust is tremendously proud of. We have proven that when we run together we can protect our future.” said Mike Watson, CEO – Lewa Conservancy.
Keeping to the tradition of the title sponsor, Safaricom will donate KES 14.8 million.
As has been the case, the Safaricom Marathon will have three race categories: the 5KM Children’s Fun Run for 10 to 14 year olds and 15-17 year olds, the Half Marathon (21KM) for individuals, teams and corporates, and the 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 event will be held on Saturday 30th June 2018.
For more details on registration, which opens on tomorrow on the 1st of March 2018, please visit https://www.lewasafarimarathon.com/
