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One of the 10 "must do" marathons in the world.
The Safaricom Marathon attracts participants from all over the globe who come to compete for a good cause. A unique event that not only tests your limits but also gives you an opportunity to enjoy a real African Safari!
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The Safaricom Marathon has stimulated and provided substantial financial help to a wide range of beneficiaries throughout Kenya, with a primary focus on northern Kenya. The impact has been huge and the benefits are very tangible. In its 13 year history the event has raised 281,026,000 Kenya Shillings (US$3.83m).
Tusk and Lewa have always shared a common goal to use wildlife conservation as a catalyst to alleviate poverty, reduce conflict, and improve education and livelihoods in rural areas rich in biodiversity. As such the proceeds from each year's event will continue to be invested in a wide range of projects benefiting sustainable development, education, healthcare, and wildlife. Our clear aim is to balance the needs of rural communities with the objective of preserving Kenya's unique natural heritage for future generations.
Graph 1. Net funds raised each year by the Safaricom Marathon
Education
The Lewa Education Programme's main aim is to provide the children on the boundaries of the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy with access to the best possible education opportunities and effectively create awareness on the importance of wildlife conservation. Support is given through the development and improvement of infrastructure, the provision and training of teachers, and the facilitation of feeding programmes. The LEP also provides bursaries and scholarships for needy and high performing children in secondary and tertiary levels of education.
The Lewa Education Programme (LEP) partners with 15 public schools that span Laikipia, Meru and Isiolo counties. LEP, through continued marathon funding, has been able to facilitate development in these schools and provide some of the resources needed for a quality education. Funds from the 2012 Safaricom Marathon were equally distributed among all 15 schools. The beneficiaries were Rugusu, Lewa, Kanyunga, JPP, Sang'a, Leparua, Ntalabany, Enaikishomi, Ntugi, Mutunyi, Karimba and Subuiga Primary School. Ngare Ndare and Ntugi Day Secondary Schools were also recipients of the funds.
The school committees, through prioritized development plans, highlighted the needs of each school. With marathon funds, these schools were able to undertake a number of projects; for example, Kanyunga school plans to construct a new ablution block for students. At Subuiga, chairs and lockers were purchased, electricity was installed and revision books were purchased. While at Rugusu a gate was installed at the school entrance and at Ntugi the classroom windows were repaired.
Healthcare
The Safaricom Marathon has, once again, contributed hugely to the healthcare providers in Northern Kenya. District hospitals acquired medical equipment which in turn has enabled them to provide medical services to many of Lewa's neighbouring communities.
Three district hospitals, Meru, Isiolo and Timau, all received medical equipment based on their various hospital requirements. For example, Meru hospital received wards related equipment such as nebulizers, thermometers, stretchers, and scales. The Isiolo District Hospital was able to purchase a laptop computer and printer along with 40 bedside cabinets and a craniotomy set. The Timau sub-district hospital received a vital hematology analyzer. All of these marathon funded donations have helped contribute to an improved healthcare system in the area.
The final beneficiary was the Nanyuki Cottage Hospital whose resident physician, Dr. Butt, gives tremendous support to the Lewa Clinic and local communities. Once again, the marathon was able to give financial support to the wildlife injury fund, a fund started in 2000 which is used to treat people from the wider community who are injured by wildlife.
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy aims to work as a catalyst for the conservation of wildlife and its habitat through the protection and management of species, the initiation and support of community conservation and development programmes, and the education of neighbouring communities in the value of wildlife. Spanning 62,000 acres, Lewa is home to over 10 percent of Kenya's black rhino population, over 14 percent of Kenya's white rhino population and the world's largest single population of Grevy's zebra.
Lewa is actively involved in promoting conservation both within its boundaries and in the ecologically important community-owned areas to its north. With a proven track record, Lewa's model of community-based conservation development is being spearheaded across northern Kenya, and emulated by other East African conservation organizations. Lewa has been instrumental in the creation of community conservation areas and is creating a sustainable ecosystem approach to conservation through the protection of large areas of land, allowing for the continued migration of wildlife throughout their natural range.
Funds that were raised during the 2012 Safaricom Marathon were utilized by Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in the following ways:
Salaries and allowances for Lewa's armed team
The rise in demand for rhino horn and ivory from the Far East has made poaching an extremely profitable trade, and conservancies that are home to rhino and elephant have had to significantly improve and reinforce their existing security systems. Poachers are increasingly using sophisticated weapons and techniques; thus, conservancies now require the presence of a highly skilled armed team. Lewa's team is just that—combat-ready Kenya Police Reservists, recruited and trained by the Conservancy and armed by the Kenyan government. This dedicated unit of 23 works tirelessly to protect the animals at risk, as well as the rest of the wildlife. Safaricom Marathon 2012 funds are being used to pay this team's salaries for a period of three months and their allowances for a year.
Operating costs for the armed team's vehicle and annual security flying costs
A day in the life of the armed team is spontaneous and unpredictable. In the event of a security breach, swift action is of paramount importance. Therefore, a vehicle is solely designated for the team's rapid response. Due to Lewa's rugged terrain, this vehicle is in constant need of repair and maintenance. Fuel consumption is also high as the team covers lengthy distances while on duty, either during normal surveillance or while conducting investigations.
To properly secure and monitor Lewa's wildlife, regular aerial surveillance is required. Lewa's aircraft is also of vital importance for conducting investigations into insecurity incidents within and outside Lewa. The Kenya police and the Kenya Wildlife Service frequently call upon Lewa for aerial assistance during follow-ups to poaching or tourist attacks.
The Safaricom Marathon 2012 funds are enabling the security department to cover its annual operating costs for the armed team's vehicle and its flying costs.
Annual salary for the fence team
The Lewa fence is of great importance in the Conservancy's security efforts as it prevents entry of unwanted or suspicious people. It also helps in preventing human-wildlife conflict. Because wildlife can only enter or exit Lewa through defined gaps that are equipped with motion-sensitive cameras, the fence enables Lewa's research team to monitor the movement of wildlife.
It is not uncommon for wildlife, especially elephants, to break or destroy a part of the fence. Therefore, the repair and maintenance of the fence is an ongoing job that requires a dedicated team.
Marathon funds were used to pay the fence team's annual salary.
The veterinary team operating costs
Lewa's Mobile Veterinary Unit is active all year round, as they attend to a diverse range of cases in the region. The following are some of the major reasons for veterinary intervention:
Northern Rangelands Trust
The Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT) is a community-led not-for-profit organization, registered in 2004, whose members represent politically and socially marginalized pastoralist communities of Northern Kenya. NRT was established by communities and other stakeholders involved in conservation in Northern Kenya, recognizing a need for an umbrella organization that would assist communities to use conservation as a means of improving and diversifying livelihoods.
The NRT acts as a catalyst for development of community-based conservation initiatives and is currently working with 19 existing and emerging community conservancies in Laikipia, Samburu, Marsabit, Isiolo, Ijara and Baringo and Tana river districts. These conservancies represent 11 different ethnic groups and cover over 16,000 km2 of community-owned land. Collectively they are re-establishing the wildlife landscape from Mount Kenya, the Mathews Range, the Tana River, and beyond. Conservancies are also providing the institutional platform for communities to address issues of rangeland and livestock management, conflict resolution, natural resource use, tourism development and other nature-based enterprises.
Over the years, the Safaricom Marathon has been a consistent and valuable supporter of NRT and its community conservation projects in Northern Kenya. The 2012 Safaricom Marathon raised USD 100,000 for NRT that provided critical financial support. One of the more important yet difficult fundraising areas facing NRT is core operating costs. The 2012 marathon funding has been allocated to cover salaries and rations of security scouts in 7 NRT community conservancies (Biliqo Bulesa, Melako, Il Ngwesi, Naibunga, Iltungai, Ruko and Leparua). In addition, several conservancies were allocated funds for capital expenses including the purchase of camping equipment to allow for multi-day patrols, handheld radios and solar chargers, as well as a donkey and water cart.
Mount Kenya Trust
The Mount Kenya National Park and Reserve is located to the east of the Great Rift Valley along the equator. The forest zone is the largest single contiguous forest stand remaining in Kenya and its ecosystem as a whole plays a critical role as a water tower for the two main rivers in the country, the Tana and Ewaso Ngiro relied upon by millions of Kenyans. Additionally, varying geographical conditions on Mount Kenya contribute to a diverse range of flora and fauna.
A startling increase in poaching for bush meat and ivory, illegal logging and raging forest fires on Mount Kenya have made the presence of the Mount Kenya Trust all the more vital to the preservation of this world heritage site.
The Mount Kenya Trust, in conjunction with KWS, has set up a horse patrol team to monitor wildlife populations and prevent illegal forest activities (such as illegal logging) on the mountain. The mounted team, the first of its kind in the area, patrol on Ethiopian ponies, a very hardy breed well suited for high altitude conditions and rough terrain. The Trust has employed four men from the local communities and five KWS rangers were trained alongside the MKT recruits. With the addition of horses, the new team is able to cover more ground and has a distinct advantage when approaching and chasing poachers who operate on foot.
Tusk Trust and the Safaricom Marathon have been a lifeline for the projects of the Mount Kenya Trust (MKT) for many years. Last year's marathon was no exception. Funds from this unique event went a long way towards supporting MKT's horse patrol initiative. 2012 marathon funding has enabled MKT to cover the costs of salaries for the horse patrol team leader and area supervisor, rations for 8 patrol team members, veterinary and feed costs of the 8 ponies, as well as stable and camp construction and purchase of VHF radios.
Lewa Communities Development Programme
Lewa does not view itself as an island. The Conservancy works closely with its neighbours to ensure that the conservation of wildlife goes hand in hand with community development. As the ever expanding human population comes into conflict with wildlife, Lewa has been at the forefront of helping communities in northern Kenya to initiate and promote community driven conservation programmes, which allow the people to view wildlife as an asset and not a liability. By directing the benefits of our success to helping our neighbours, Lewa has helped alleviate poverty, and created enthusiasm among communities for wildlife conservation.
This is accomplished through addressing the socioeconomic and development needs of the many communities, which includes community water management, agricultural development programmes, road and infrastructure improvement, womens' microcredit schemes and forestry projects.
Funds raised by the 2012 Safaricom Marathon continue to enhance the livelihoods of the communities surrounding Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and to promote the socioeconomic development that is so critical to the region. Every community is given its share of funds through their respective development committees. These committees take into consideration their community's overall needs and then select projects that are of utmost priority.
In most of the communities neighboring Lewa, water and rural infrastructure projects have been prioritized by their community development committees. Through funding from the 2012 Safaricom marathon, road grading and maintainace, water infrastructure support, and community security posts will be realised, benefitting 7 communities surrounding the conservancy (Leparua, Mutunyi, Ntumburi, Manyangalo, Matunda, and Subuiga).
Ngare Ndare Forest Trust
The 2012 Safaricom Marathon funds have been utilized by the Ngare Ndare Forest Trust (NNFT) to further its conservation programme in the forest reserve.
The NNFT Indigenous Tree Nursery is crucial to ensuring continued supply of seedlings for planting within the farmlands. These seedlings will eventually supply wood products for the community, thus reducing pressure on the indigenous forest reserve. The tree nursery also provides indigenous tree seedlings for rehabilitation of degraded areas within the forest. With the donation from the 2012 Safaricom Marathon, the NNFT was able to undertake development and maintenance of its tree nurseries as well as purchase an additional 100,000 tree seedlings.
In addition, with 2012 marathon funding, NNFT was able to cover vital operating costs. Ngare Ndare forest still suffers from illegal logging and fence post cutting. A portion of the marathon donation was used to fund intensive patrols and a rapid response team to keep loggers at bay.
Kenya Wide Projects
Since 2006, a percentage of the funds raised through the Safaricom Marathon has been distributed via Tusk Trust, the co-organiser of the event, to wildlife conservation, community development and environmental education projects throughout Kenya. In 2012, Tusk distributed Kshs 8,400,000 to twelve different projects, making a significant difference to a variety of causes country-wide. These projects included:
Kenya Wide Projects
Since 2006, a percentage of the funds raised through the Safaricom Marathon has been distributed via Tusk Trust, the co-organiser of the event, to wildlife conservation, community development and environmental education projects throughout Kenya. In 2012, Tusk distributed Kshs 8,400,000 to twelve different projects, making a significant difference to a variety of causes country-wide. These projects included:
The course is a 21km loop run on rough dirt roads over an undulating route through the conservancy. The full marathon is run over two loops of the course and the half marathon over one loop. The course lies at an average altitude of 5,500 ft.
Temperatures can range from 12-15 Degrees Centigrade in the morning and 30-35 Degrees Centigrade in the afternoon.
TWEET FEEDS