In the heart of the Mara, the 6th Ultra Marathon in the Mara unfolded as a celebration of endurance, community and conservation, drawing 287 athletes and countless supporters to a landscape where athletic grit meets a greater purpose. It was a day shaped by standout performances, humble reflections and the kind of shared spirit that turns a race into a movement.
From the very first steps, the event felt bigger than a finish line. Runners spoke of support on the trails, volunteers rallied with energy and organisers reminded everyone that each stride carried the weight of a living ecosystem. The collective commitment to wildlife and community framed every achievement, giving the competition a resonant heartbeat.
Kiswaa keeps the 50km solo crown
In the 50km solo category, defending champion Jackson Kiswaa delivered once again, retaining his title despite a brief navigational setback along the route. The returning winner did not hide his relief and ambition, noting that the result meant more than just another medal.
“I actually got lost for a bit, so I know I could have run a better time. But defending my title means a lot, and the support out here kept me going.”
Kiswaa’s honesty captured the human side of elite performance, a balance of pride and possibility that resonates in endurance sport. His win underlined the competitive depth of the race while also hinting at a higher ceiling still to come.
Debutants Kilima Camp light up the relay
The relay marathon produced the day’s shock and spectacle as debutants Kilima Camp stunned the field with a record time of 2:41:17. New to this stage, they ran with conviction, turned heads early and sealed a result that will echo through future editions.
“To come here for the first time and win is unbelievable. We trained hard, but we didn’t expect this kind of result.”
Those words from John Kemboi of Kilima Camp captured the mix of preparation and wonder that fuels breakthrough performances. Behind the winners, Highland Constructors clocked 2:58:23, with Angama taking third in 3:02:55 to complete a podium that testified to both quality and depth.
Rangers take a proud bow
Few finishes earned louder applause than the triumph of the Mara Elephant Project Rangers in the ranger category, a race that honors the frontline teams protecting wildlife across the Mara. They crossed in 3:03:05, a time quickly matched by a surge of appreciation from spectators and fellow rangers lining the finish.
The symbolism was unmistakable. These are the guardians of a delicate ecosystem, and on this day they were competitors as well as protectors, embodying the event’s bigger mission.
“This race isn’t just about athletes it’s about protecting this ecosystem, community and supporting the rangers who defend it every day.”
Key results at a glance
- Jackson Kiswaa retained the 50km solo title,
- Kilima Camp won the relay marathon in a record 2:41:17, with Highland Constructors second in 2:58:23 and Angama third in 3:02:55,
- Mara Elephant Project Rangers claimed the ranger category in 3:03:05.
Numbers that tell a bigger story
The field of 287 athletes was more than a statistic, it signaled a gathering momentum that mirrors the race’s growing stature. Each new name on the start list added to a tapestry of participants, from seasoned ultrarunners to first-time entrants testing themselves in a storied setting.
Organisers underscored that this is not an ordinary endurance event, but a platform where sporting ambition coexists with stewardship. The race is a key pillar in raising funds and awareness for conservation efforts across the Mara ecosystem, a purpose that gives every kilometer added meaning.
| CASINO | BONUS | INFO | RATING | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
bonus
Exciting deposit bonuses and free spins await!
See 3 Bonuses
|
info
Curacao OGL/2024/507/0541 Wide Range of casino games |
|
||
|
bonus
Earn 10% cashback on your Aviator net losses!
See 6 Bonuses
|
info
Large welcome bonus, crypto-friendly, huge provider list. OGL/2024/1394/0725 |
|
||
|
bonus
New players get 50 free spins and a Ksh 2500 freebet!
See 7 Bonuses
|
info
BK 0000665 PG 0000405 Good combination of online casino and betting platform |
|
||
|
bonus
First Bonus: 200% Deposit Bonus
See 3 Bonuses
|
info
8048/JAZ2024-001 HunnyPlay is licensed under Curaçao (365/JAZ). Join now and win crypto instantly! |
|
Why this edition matters
At its core, the Ultra Marathon in the Mara is a meeting point of athletic excellence and collective responsibility. Performances like Kiswaa’s title defense and Kilima Camp’s record relay did more than thrill, they drew attention to the shared work of preserving one of the world’s great natural habitats.
The ranger category amplified that message with clarity. By recognizing the Mara Elephant Project Rangers and their peers, the event highlighted the effort behind the scenes, the quiet daily heroism that keeps wildlife safe and ecosystems intact.
What the winners showed
Kiswaa’s win carried the humility of a champion who knows there is always another level to reach. A brief detour did not break his focus, it sharpened it, and he turned a moment of uncertainty into a statement of resilience.
For Kilima Camp, the day was a breakthrough, the kind that shifts expectations. Their record time served notice that new contenders can seize the moment, and that the relay marathon will be a compelling battleground in editions to come.
Community at the heart of the Mara
The images that linger from this race are as much about people as podiums. Volunteers ushering runners with smiles, supporters cheering on the rangers, and athletes lifting one another when the effort bit hardest, all of it connected the competition to a broader community pulse.
That connection is the event’s quiet advantage. It turns spectators into stakeholders, and runners into advocates, anchoring the Ultra Marathon’s identity in service as well as sport.
Conservation carries the finish line
Every headline result pointed back to a singular truth, the race exists to protect the Mara’s living heritage. From the CEO of the Mara Elephant Project to the organisers working behind the scenes, voices converged around a shared goal, sustaining the ecosystem and the communities who call it home.
As the day closed, the applause for the rangers felt like a promise kept. The competition delivered drama and excellence, and the mission delivered purpose, a pairing that continues to define this event.
Looking ahead with purpose
The Ultra Marathon continues to grow, strengthening its position as a unique platform that blends athletic endurance, community involvement and wildlife conservation. That blend is not a slogan, it is the guiding principle that makes this event distinct on the running calendar.
For athletes eyeing the next start line, the message is clear. Bring your best, find your limits, and understand that every stride helps protect something larger than yourself.
Legacy shaped by performance and principle
In the years to come, the 6th edition will be remembered for its champions and its character. It had the drama of a title defense, the spark of a record by a debut team, and the pride of rangers receiving the recognition they deserve.
That combination is the event’s true signature. The Ultra Marathon in the Mara is not simply a test of distance, it is a platform that turns effort into impact, competition into conservation and results into a living legacy.
