“I have been running 26km every week since March, in readiness for this marathon! Grueling is what the terrain was, and the sweltering heat didn’t make it any easier; thank heavens for the misting stations along the trail! I am tired to the bone, but hey, it’s all for a good cause!” Said Fred after finishing the Run Wild Run For The Wild 2016 Lewa Marathon.
On the road from Nairobi, I traveled with a bunch of happy, singing Hashers all set to take part in a marathon that has made it to the world’s list of top ten ‘must do’ marathons. The Lewa Marathon is revered in the world of runners as one of the toughest marathons in the world! Knowing this, I figured that the pomp and dance the Hashers had was something in the lines of a war-dance conjured to imply courage as they forged forward to the war; The 2016 Lewa Marathon!
There’s never a dull day in the Hash House Harriers movement!
Commitment to conservation of wildlife and its habitat in Kenya was hallmarked as theLewa Marathon marked it’s 17th Anniversary; this time hosting over 1300 participants drawn from 28 countries all over the world. A growth in leaps and bounds from the 150 participants the marathon hosted in 2000, the inaugural year.
The Safaricom Lewa Marathon is one of the major sporting events in Kenya and in the circles of runners all around the world. The energy of the event and its participants was almost tangible! As early as the first bird chirped to wake the world, runners could be seen pacing up and down their camps as they warmed up their muscles prior to the marathon. There are those that were to run the half marathon (21km) and the elite runners who would cover enter trail of the full marathon (42km).
Early morning as the runners sponsored by MMC Africa Law get ready for the marathon
The energy of the event and its participants was almost tangible!
The Lewa Marathon gave the spectators as well as the runners the exciting possibility of encountering wildlife on the trail. The picturesque landscapes were enthralling like snippets straight out of a Disney film! Like the proverbial bite and blow from a rat, I assumed the marathon was treacherous for the runners and the natural beauty of the Lewa conservancy was the reliever.
Spectators were treated to picturesque landscapes as they cheered runners in the Lewa Marathon
An ostrich stands vigilant at the Lewa Conservancy
Mama rhino and child, out for a morning snack at Lewa
Striped beauty of the zebra stands out in the Lewa plains
Young and old runners gave their best and pushed hard! Every pant, muscle cramp and foot sore being their symbol of commitment to the spirit of wildlife conservation. Through the undulating dirt tracks cutting through the breathtaking Lewa Conservancy, runners sweat it out, with some running strong and others shuffling their feet with an aim to make it to the next water-point and eventually to the finish line.
John Ruengo pushing hard. At 86 he is the oldest Kenyan marathoner.
All terrain vehicles came in handy while moving from spectator point to the next
As I moved from one spectator point to the next, I was glad to have met one of the child competitors in the Lewa Marathon. The kids take part in a 5km race and are awarded medals on completion of the set distance.
“What is your name?” I asked the shy boy walking towards me with a medal dangling around his neck.
“Moses.” he replied in shaky voice. “I see you finished the race. What position were you?” I inquired.
“I don’t know. I am so tired, but happy that I got a medal.”
Meet Moses. One of the finishers in the 5km Children’s race at the Lewa Marathon.
Some ran strong while others shuffled on to the finish line
Determination was written allover her face
I will keep going, no giving up!
Effective cooling; A runner goes though the misting station!
A determined runner goes past other marathoners at the Lewa Marathon
A 2013 Virgin London Marathon Finisher pushing to finish Lewa Marathon 2016
“I have to keep going,” So James seems to tell himself.
He entertained spectators as he asked for Tusker at every water-point
Spectators cheered on the marathoners to the finish line
As Hal Higdon said, The pride in finishing a marathon is much greater than all the pain endured during the marathon! This was evidenced by the celebration from the various teams, after a grueling day on the trail. Closest to me was the team sponsored by MMC Africa Law. After a few hours of cooling their heels at the Bunduz camp, it was back to party time!
Finished the marathon, and had no energy to show off the medal
Oh yes, we finished!
The MMC Africa Law team celebrates after the Lewa Marathon 2016
I believe that many a runner will agree with me in saying that, Finishing a marathon is a state of mind that says anything is possible! To the runners in the Run Wild Lewa Marathon, the organizers, the sponsors of the various teams in the marathon, the journalists covering the event, the entertainers and the ever so kind spectators handing bottles of water and energy bars to the runners, we finished the marathon!
Finishing a marathon is a state of mind that says anything is possible!
