Lewa Safari Marathon 2026: Full Results and Top Finishers

Every year in late June, runners from across the globe converge on Lewa for one of the world’s most extraordinary adventure sports events, the Lewa Safari Marathon. Part race, part wildlife encounter, the event has earned its reputation as a true bucket-list experience for athletes who want their finish line to come with a side of lion tracks and acacia trees.

The Lewa Marathon began in the year 2000 with just 180 entries. More than two decades later, it has grown into a major international event, drawing just over 1,200 participants each year. What started as a small local race has become a global draw, with runners travelling from every corner of the world to test themselves against one of Africa’s most demanding, and most beautiful, courses.

Running Through a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Thousands of runners took to the dirt tracks under the northern Kenyan sun, bringing massive energy back to the conservancy. Participants kicked up dust across wide-open plains, pushed through tasking hills, and paced themselves under the shade of ancient acacia trees.

The intensity held strong from the morning starting gun to the final finisher across four distinct distances. Serious endurance athletes tackled the 42km Full Marathon and the 21km Half Marathon on a course known as one of the toughest in the world. Corporate competitors brought their own grit to the 10km Executive Race, while the youngest field flooded the 5km Junior Fun Run.

This Year’s Top Finishers

The men’s and women’s fields produced standout performances across both the full and half marathon distances.

Full Marathon (42km) – Men

1. Samson Lemayan
2. Victor Miano
3. Nehemiah Kimaru

Full Marathon (42km) – Women

1. Lydia Simiyu
2. Lydia Nyansikera
3. Gladys Otero

Half Marathon (21km) – Men

1. Michael Kamau
2. Justine Lelintan
3. Simon Saidimu

Half Marathon (21km) – Women

1. Mercy Nelima
2. Doreen Kendi
3. Caroline Waithira

More Than a Race

What distinguishes the Lewa Safari Marathon from many of the world’s major races is not only its setting but also its purpose. Every entry helps fund wildlife conservation and community development at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, where the proceeds support everything from protecting endangered species to expanding access to education, healthcare, and sustainable livelihoods in neighbouring communities. For many runners, the finish line represents more than a personal achievement; it is a contribution to the long-term future of this extraordinary landscape.

As another edition of the Lewa Safari Marathon comes to a close, congratulations are in order for every participant who took on the course this year, from the elite athletes to the young ones who completed the Junior Fun Run. Their effort, together, helps keep one of the world’s most remarkable conservancies thriving for generations to come.

Also Read: Behind the Scenes of the Lewa Safari Marathon