Spend a week on the shores of Lake Malawi on this unique Malawi marathon adventure in home of distance running.
Choose the Malawi Impact Marathon and you’ll be joining us on the run of a lifetime in the home of distance-running. Not only will you spend the week on the shores of Lake Malawi (don’t forget your cameras for those epic sunrises and sunsets), you’ll also have time to meet some amazing projects really making a difference to the communities you will be running through and alongside.
Staying in the Athletes’ Village on the shores of beautiful Lake Malawi, you’ll spend the first few days getting stuck into a variety of community projects from running kids sports day to distributing fuel-efficient stoves and you’ll immerse yourself in the local culture. Then after resting up on day 5, you’ll join locals for the inaugural Malawi Impact Marathon, with a choice of running a 10km, 21km or 42km race through beautiful rural Africa.
Empower yourself and use the power of running to help change lives forever.
Why you'll love this adventure
- Combine an epic running race with community volunteering and a unique holiday
- Stay on the shores of the beautiful Lake Malawi
- Choose whether to run 10km, 21km or 42km
Dates
Itinerary
A week like no other. Travel, volunteer and race for the projects you've been working on in the week.
What's included
- A spacious tent shared by up to four runners (other accommodation options available, please enquire for details and costs)
- All food and water
- In-country transport
- Project visits
- Race entry
- Finish line gifts
- Stunning & unforgettable experience
Not included
- Flights
- Travel Insurance
- Visa
- Alcohol & Incidentals
Trip notes
Price
Accommodation
The most popular option is camping. You’ll be sharing this tent with up to 3 other awesome travellers who will become your best friends through the week. Loads of room, all washing and toilet facilities and a campsite like no other. You’ll have a mattress and bedding in this simple arrangement and plenty of room for all your luggage. There are few things more amazing than waking up, under canvas, hearing the sloshing of waves against the sand, opening up your tent to look out over the rising African sun.
You will be nestled amongst the trees in our campsite that leads on to Lake Malawi. You will have 6 nights, including all your food, in-country transfers, project work, race entry, race stash and your finishing line gifts. This spectacular week includes everything from organising a crazy KidsRunWild sports day to building a local pre-school to distributing fuel-efficient stoves. Make no mistake about it, no other race gets you this deep into a rural African community.
Other accommodation packages are available, from brick built chalets sharing with one other person to the option to bring your own tent. Please enquire for full details and costs.
Meals
All meals and water are provided and included in the prices quoted.
Who is this trip for?
Everyone looking for an unusual running and volunteering adventure.
Additional notes
Running the race is just part of what this trip is all about. You will also be making an impact through volunteering and fund-raising too.
Raising funds for the UN Global Goals and sustainable development in the projects you will be meeting and working with during the week. A unique opportunity to see first hand where your fund-raising goes.
We have chosen three specific goals for Malawi, so you can choose which one you want to support:
1 – No Poverty
2 – Zero Hunger
3 – Good Health & Well-Being
The race options
The 42k
The ultimate distance. In the ultimate location. Distance running is coming home, and you are the one who gets to inspire the world through your running. This is more than just a race, just wait until you are running along the banks of Lake Malawi, enjoying the Warm Heart of the most beautiful continent on earth.
The 21k
This half marathon will be the most wonderful experience for any runner. Set in challenging terrain, it’s a sandy, dusty trail race that has enough elevation to keep your legs happy but enough stunning vistas to keep your mind rewarded! Forget about your Personal Best and enjoy every single step of this unique course.
The 10k
Our most accessible race but no less rewarding and beautiful. This will be the most popular race with our Malawian runners and many people’s first ever race. Feed off the excitement and the enthusiasm. You’ll hit the banks of Lake Malawi, as well as the villages we’ve been working in. A 10km race like no other.
FAQs
I’m a first time runner can I still take part?
Absolutely. This is a community race, you are running with others, for others. If you need to walk then walk, take in the sights enjoy the atmosphere, this is about the power of running not the power of a fast time. There are three distances to choose from (10km, 21km and 42km) so you can choose the race that best suits you. When you take on the challenge, forget about your split times and revel in that finishing line feeling, however long it takes.
What if I’m unable to finish the race?
We will give each marathon runner 8 hours to complete the course. This equates to running at 18 minutes per mile. At this time we will collect any runners who are still out on the course and bring them back to HQ with plenty of water and hugs. If at any point you wish to stop, just make it to the next aid station to inform one of our marshals or, if you want to stop right there, let a fellow runner know to inform a marshal. There will be marathon staff roving the course to ensure everyone’s ok.
What will the weather be like during the race week
May and June are two of the driest months – so rain would be a big surprise for everyone. In the day time temperatures are generally in the low 20s, maximum is usually around 27C. At night it can get down to around 14C, so nights can feel a bit chilly and a hoodie is definitely worth having.
Will there be medical support?
We have partnered with the heroes at Exile Medics to ensure your safety.
Are there water stations along the way?
Water stations will be roughly every 5 kms. They will be stocked with water and bananas. If you have particular energy bars and drinks that you love then bring them along with you. We advise runners to wear a hat and carry water and nutrition with them in a Camelbak or similar set-up – it’s a tough course with little shade after all.
Can you cater for specific dietary requirements?
We’re sure we can. We’re used to catering for veggies, vegans and people with intolerances. Just let us know your requirements and we’ll make sure you’re well looked after.
Is there a minimum fundraising amount?
Actually no – we don’t want to set a minimum amount. But we would love our runners to aim for £1000 and on average this is what our past runners have achieved. We’d like you to raise as much as possible of course though, as the projects we are working with will be able to make big differences through your hard work. And don’t forget, you’ll get to spend some time with the very projects you are fundraising for. It’s not often you see exactly where your charity money is going.
Tour operator
We love this operator’s mission to change the world through the power of running. Their social business is designed to harness the simple power of running to sustainably build communities, bring people together around huge causes and leave a lasting impact on the world.
The experiences they create go much further than just running a race but also look to tackle the 17 UN Global Goals including quality education, gender equality and clean water and sanitation.
Runners not only get to meet their own personal running goals but also get the chance to see the impact of their time, money and resources by visiting and meeting the projects they are supporting.
Enquire today
Malawi Marathon Adventure
Please complete the enquiry form above with as much detail as you can and we will send you all the trip information and connect you with the operator so you can make a booking directly.
If you have queries and questions about the trip include those in your form and we’ll personally reply to you within 24 hours.
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