Samson Lemayan and Lydia Simiyu won the men’s and women’s 42km races at the 26th Lewa Safari Marathon held on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Isiolo County, according to a statement issued by the organisers and sponsors.

Lemayan, a ranger at Samburu National Reserve, defended his men’s title after finishing in 2:27:04. He placed ahead of Victor Miano (2:28:08) and Nehemiah Kimaru (2:32:38). In the women’s race, 32-year-old Kenya Wildlife Service officer Simiyu, from Kitale in Trans Nzoia County, won in 2:50:39, followed by Lydia Nyansikera (2:56:41) and Gladys Otero (3:07:40).

Both the 42km and 21km category winners received KES 150,000 each, while first runners-up earned KES 80,000 and second runners-up KES 60,000, the statement said.

The Lewa Safari Marathon, now in its 26th year, is among Kenya’s high-profile endurance events that combines sports with conservation-linked fundraising at a time when corporate-backed events continue to play a growing role in financing community and environmental programmes in Northern Kenya.

“This is my third year participating in this race and my second time winning it. I have been preparing for this race since last year, and I am happy to have successfully defended my title. This Marathon is more challenging than many other races because of its tough terrain, so winning here means a lot to me as I continue preparing for upcoming races,” Lemayan said.

Simiyu said the win marked her first appearance at the event. “This is my first time participating in the Lewa Safari Marathon, and winning it is a major milestone in my athletics career. It is one of the races I have always wanted to compete in because of its impact on conservation and the surrounding communities, as well as its reputation as one of the toughest marathon courses. I would like to thank the organisers and sponsors, including Safaricom, for making this event such a success,” she said.

In the 21km half marathon, Michael Kamau won the men’s race in 1:06:36, while Mercy Nelima took the women’s title in 1:19:02. Justine Lelintan (1:07:59) and Doreen Kendi (1:23:09) were second, while Simon Saidimu (1:08:30) and Caroline Waithira (1:26:12) finished third in their respective categories. The Executive 10km winners were Wilson Moyer (men) and Jessica Baillie (women), organisers said.

Michael Joseph, an M-PESA Foundation Trustee, linked the event to longer-term corporate support. “Twenty-six years of supporting this marathon reflect our long-standing commitment to creating meaningful and lasting impact in communities, extending far beyond wildlife conservation. I would like to thank our fellow sponsors, partners, participants and everyone who contributed to the success of this year's event. We remain committed to supporting this noble cause and ensuring it continues to deliver even greater impact in the years ahead,” Joseph said.

Organisers said the 2026 edition attracted more than 1,400 participants from Kenya and abroad, a turnout that underscores the continued appeal of destination events to domestic and international runners, with potential spillovers for hospitality, transport and local supply chains in host regions.

Rob Macaire, CEO of Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, said the marathon’s focus goes beyond the race itself. “Today, we celebrate not only the achievements of those who crossed the finish line, but also the lasting impact this event continues to make through conservation, education, healthcare and sustainable livelihoods. Experiencing my first Lewa Safari Marathon as CEO has been both inspiring and humbling,” Macaire said.

The event was sponsored by Safaricom and Huawei, alongside partners including Amref Health Africa, Kenya Red Cross, Atlas Towers, Safari Link, ICEA Lions, and Tropical Heat, according to the statement. Organisers did not disclose the total amount raised, but said the marathon supports conservation and neighbouring communities, with future editions expected to continue relying on corporate sponsorship and participant turnout as key drivers.