Big Five

Established in 2005, the Big Five Marathon has grown into one of the world's most iconic and unique marathon experiences, taking runners through the wild savannahs of Entabeni Game Reserve in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. The course runs right through the habitat of Africa's most famous animals, elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard, with no fences, no rivers and nothing at all separating runners from the African wildlife. Starting and finishing at Lakeside Lodge on the upper escarpment, the route leads past Ravineside Lodge and the imposing Entabeni Monolith on red sand dirt roads across the lower plateau, before reaching Hanglip Viewpoint at 1,702m - the race's highest point. The true test begins around the 14km mark with the infamous steep descent into Yellowwood Valley, a 3.2km paved decline with a 42% gradient that punishes the quads, followed by approximately 9km of almost entirely deep sand through lion territory. The course then climbs Lion Hill, a notorious stretch with a steep gradient of approximately 200m ascent, before reaching a high plateau with views across the escarpment edge and the valley below. Safety is paramount throughout, with the route monitored by helicopters and armed rangers. All runners must book a full tour package organised by Albatros Adventure Marathons, which includes luxury lodge accommodation, game drives, bush walks and transfers from Johannesburg, making it as much a safari adventure as a race.