More than 15,000 athletes are expected in the Lewa Safari Marathon slated for Lewa Conservancy in Isiolo County on June 28, 2025.

The race makes a return after it was cancelled last year due to Gen Zs protests that rocked the nation.

Still expected to defend their titles this season are John Mitei and Mercy Kwambai who triumphed in the 2023 edition.

The champions will expect some stiff challenge from 2022 winners Peter Wahome and Fridah Chepkite Lodepa who are very thirsty to reclaim their titles.

The 43-year-old Lodepa, who was mentored into athletics by marathon legend Tegla Loroupe, has been a permanent fixture in the Lewa Safari Marathon race for over a decade.

She has used part of the marathon proceeds to empower herself by purchasing pieces of land, paying school fees for her children and investing in livestock.

Apart from the marathon, other categories to be contested include the 5km kids race, the 10km men and women challenge and the 21km men and women showdown.

The organisers of the race are still hopeful to raise Sh140 million which was targeted last season before the race  was rocked by the Genz protests, leading to the cancellation.

The money raised this season will be used to support conservation efforts across Kenya.

Mobile services providers Safaricom and Huawei Kenya on Wednesday supported the race to a total tune of Sh25 million in Nairobi.

“We are happy to be part of this race, athletes are our best ambassadors and athletics is among the hordes of discipline that we are glad to be supporting,” Safaricom Chief Executive Officer Peter Ndegwa told Standard Sports.

“Since the very beginning, Safaricom has been an integral partner of the Lewa Safari Marathon, demonstrating our commitment to the well-being of our environment and ecosystem. The marathon provides a platform for us to showcase the impact of past, current, and future technologies driven by the Safaricom brand in contributing to the development and creation of sustainable initiatives in the Lewa Landscape,” he added.

“We take pride in our 25-year involvement in the marathon, as it has not only offered sparks of inspiration but also provided solutions to thousands of Kenyans, enabling them to shine and transform their dreams into reality.”

Huawei Kenya CEO Gao Fei said:”We are honoured to be on board for the past 17 years as this race has made life changing investments in education, conservations, health among others.”

Since its inception in 2000, the marathon has raised over Sh1.3 billion in support of conservation and community initiatives throughout Kenya.

Over Sh558 million has been invested in the direct protection of endangered species, other wildlife and their habitats.

Since 2000, more than 25,000 runners from over 40 countries have participated in the race.