Running Holiday at the Great Rift Valley in Kenya

Kenya is one of the most diverse and fabled countries on the African continent. It’s a land of incredible geographic contrasts, from the gorges of Hells Gate and the 17,000 peak of Mt. Kenya to the 700 mile stretch of coastline and the incredible lakes and ecosystems of the Great Rift Valley. The savannas stretch far and wide and are filled with an amazing array of wildlife, and lush farmlands produce some of the world’s best fruit, coffee and tea.

Combining this natural beauty with incredible safari drives, fun-loving, welcoming locals and a reputation for producing the world’s most legendary distance runners makes Kenya the perfect choice for an adventure unlike any other.

The trip price includes pre-trip communication & guidance, airport transfers on arrival and departure day, all accommodation, all meals, drinking water, coffee/tea/juice at breakfast, all ground transportation, professional drivers, experienced trip leaders, organized, supported runs, all park fees & permits, guided safari drives, two regional flights and team swag. In short, just about everything is covered from the moment you land until the moment you leave!

The cost does not include international flight, visa ($50 for US residents), alcohol, souvenirs or tips.

International airfare is not included in the price (though we do include two in-country flights!). Let’s be honest, we are all unique and your schedules (and originating airport!) are no exception. Participants will be responsible for booking their travel arrangements and ensuring that they arrive in Nairobi, Kenya (either at the airport or hotel) by the trip start date and depart no earlier than 8pm on the final day (don’t worry, you’re unlikely to find any options earlier than that!). Suggestions and guidance will be provided once you are signed up.

This trip supports ALL abilities levels! There are multiple distance options available each day, plenty of vehicle support and there’s never any pace pressure. If you choose to cover the full distance each day then you will end up with about 50mi / 80km for the week, but there are always shorter options (and ways to get in a bit more if you want!).

We will primarily run the red dirt roads that Kenya is famous for, along with some single track trails too. Footing is generally very good and impact is low, though it can be muddy after heavy rain; either road or trail shoes work great for this trip, so bring whatever you enjoy running in! We will be at a noticeable altitude all week, and most runs will take place between 6000ft / 1800m and 7800ft / 2400m - expect to run slower than usual!

We primarily plan for morning and mid-morning runs (after breakfast, before lunch), but timing can potentially shift due to weather conditions or logistical considerations. Show up with a flexible, adaptable attitude and you’ll have a blast!

When we aren’t running, we’ll have plenty to see and do! There will be game drives, incredible wildlife viewing, history and culture lessons, opportunities for souvenirs and of course a significant amount of travel time as we make our way around the country. Meals are an experience in and of themselves, and there will also be plenty of opportunity for the most important activity - soaking in the slow pace of local life and indulging in quality recovery time.

Non-runners are welcome as long as they don't mind hanging out with a bunch of runners, and typically works out just fine if they enjoy hiking or walking. Do keep in mind that the itinerary each day is primarily planned around the scheduled run and we cannot support separate activities. If you have a non-runner or walker interested in joining, please get in touch before registering so that we can make sure it’s a good fit.

The accommodation includes a mix of boutique hotels, comfortable lodges, lakeside cabanas and luxury safari camps. The accommodation in Iten is a bit more basic due to limited offerings (it’s the hotel in town!), but is very clean, comfortable, has an incredible view and caters especially for runners.

Wonderful! September weather will be warm but mild, varying a bit among our destinations. Generally speaking, expect lows of 50-60F / 10-15C and highs between 70-80F / 20-25C. Iten is our highest altitude spot and often has chilly morning fog, but it gets quite warm once the sun breaks through.

Possibly! We occasionally have a limited number of single rooms available after the balance due date (3 months prior to departure). The boutique properties that we use only have so many rooms, so we cannot guarantee how many will be available until we know the final group size. You can indicate your interest when you register and we will offer single rooms in the order in which you registered.

We will eat fresh, healthy meals throughout the trip with a wide range of choices at most meals. Big English breakfasts - think eggs, sausage & toast - are common, and a variety of porridges, cereals, yogurt, fruit, and Kenyan specialties (wait til you try the mandazi!) will also be available. Lunches will generally be boxed to accommodate our travel schedule; expect some combination of sandwiches, grilled chicken, hard-boiled eggs, cheese + crackers, yogurt, sweets, fruit and juice. Dinners are often buffet-style and feature plenty of local specialties - ugali, stewed greens, lentils, grilled meats, tubers, fresh fruit - along with international fare including Indian curries, salads, pastas, etc.

Most special diets - vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free - can be accommodated, but if you have a combination of restrictions please get in touch before you register so that we can make sure that this destination is a good fit for you.