The Sierra Leone Marathon & Cycle Challenge 2025
Wed, Apr 30, 2025
Makeni, Makeni
4 +
Not quite ready to register?
Save this event for later and come back to it when you're ready.
Event passed
Results & Photos
About
Discover the beauty of Sierra Leone, with this once in a lifetime trip. Run or cycle off the beaten track, learn about the amazing work of Street Child and make unforgettable memories alongside like-minded others. With multiple distances on offer, there's something for everyone.
Basic Package, Standard Package, Premium Package, and 1 more
View details
Wed, Apr 30, 2025
View logistics
Makeni, Sierra Leone
View location
Where and when
Location
Makeni, Sierra Leone
Start times
Basic Package: TBCStandard Package: TBCPremium Package: TBC
Event summary
Here are the distances available for The Sierra Leone Marathon & Cycle Challenge 2025
Basic Package
£499
Standard Package
£849
Premium Package
£1,299
Premium Package (3 nights)
£999
Basic Package
£499
Standard Package
£849
Premium Package
£1,299
Premium Package (3 nights)
£999
Route information
From a full and half marathon to a 10K or 5K option, there is something for all running abilities at The Sierra Leone Marathon. The incredible 75km cycle ride is perfect for those of you who want to take on a different type of challenge. Winding through tropical jungle and local villages, the routes will take you through some of the most beautiful scenery in Northern Sierra Leone.
Your epic racing adventure will begin at dawn, finishing back at Wusum stadium in Makeni with a hand-carved medal and a cold beer or fresh coconut!
Terrain:
The Sierra Leone Marathon will be run on both urban and rural roads. The majority of these are hard-packed mud roads, but also some tarmac.
On Course Support:
- Regular water stations (some with re-hydration sachets/food/drinks)
- Fixed and mobile medical support
- Sports marshals and Street child staff cheering you on
- Live music at certain points
What's included
Included in all packages:
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day
- All accommodation
- Clean drinking water throughout the trip, including electrolytes on race day
- All transport and transfers in Sierra Leone (including airport pick up, transport to projects and transfers to and from the beach)
- Expert expedition medical team who are on hand all week
- Race entry, race medal and your Sierra Leone Marathon 2025 race shirt
- Full support team
- Full schedule of activities and entertainment throughout the week
Other Costs:
You’ll need to pay for your own flights, visa and any vaccinations needed (yellow-fever is a must) and ensure you have appropriate insurance.
How to get there
Makeni, Sierra Leone
Get full directionsFlights
Flights are not included in the price of each package. Participants will receive information on flights and travel after registering. Please contact the Street Child team at slmarathon@street-child.org for further advice on booking your flights.
In Country
All in country transport and transfers are included in the cost of the package.
Hotels and Accommodation
Find some of the best hotel rates close to the startline with Hotel Planner.
Find your roomEvent day logistics
The Sierra Leone Marathon will take place between the 30th April – 5th May 2025.
This trip is much more than just a run/cycle. You will have the opportunity to explore Northern Sierra Leone with like-minded individuals, attending workshops and discovering more about Street Child's work.
Street Child
Since 2008 Street Child has supported over 749,920 children into education and supported 89,773 families to set up businesses so they can afford the cost of educating their children long-term.
They have grown from their first project in rural Sierra Leone to now working in 20 countries worldwide and the Sierra Leone Marathon participants have played a crucial part in making this happen. This is your opportunity to become part of the Street Child story.
Fundraising
100% of the money you raise is going towards supporting Street Child’s work. We ask that every participant fundraises a minimum of £1,000 to support thier work. During the trip, you will have the unique opportunity to see the impact of your fundraising and learn from the Street Child teams about their work.
Where Is The Race?
All distances will take place around a city called Makeni, the economic centre of northern Sierra Leone and the capital of Bombali District. It lies about 120 miles east (a 2-3 hour drive) of Freetown.
Packages
- Basic - 5 Nights (£499): All transport, catering and accommodation included. The accommodation is a basic and simple style room with private bathroom and a mosquito net will be provided. Electricity supply is limited. There is water for washing but running water may be limited. No WIFI. There are no lobby/ common areas. Breakfast will be provided via delivery and all drinking water is provided throughout your stay.
- Standard - 5 Nights (£849): All transport, catering and accommodation included. The accommodation is a simple room with private bathroom. There is electricity, running water and air conditioning (subject to there being no supply issues in the hotel). A mosquito net is provided. There is WIFI in the lobby. Breakfast provided by the Hotel and and all drinking water is provided throughout your stay.
- Premium - 5 Nights (£1,299): All transport, catering and accommodation included. The accommodation is a comfortable room with private bathroom. There is electricity, running water and air conditioning (subject to there being no supply issues). A mosquito net provided. The hotel has a pool and bar to relax in during down-time. Breakfast provided by the Hotel and all drinking water is provided throughout your stay. The premium package is the most comfortable package option.
- Premium - 3 Nights (£999): 2nd May - 5th May. All transport, catering and accommodation included. The accommodation is a comfortable room with private bathroom. There is electricity, running water and air conditioning (subject to there being no supply issues). A mosquito net provided. The hotel has a pool and bar to relax in during down-time. Breakfast provided by the Hotel and all drinking water is provided throughout your stay. The premium package is the most comfortable package option.
Beach Extension
The Sierra Leone Marathon package covers the five days you’ll spend with the team in Makeni. But a visit to Sierra Leone just isn’t complete without a trip to its world-famous beaches. We strongly recommend runners extend their stay for one or two nights and join Street Child at Tokeh beach for a celebratory beach barbecue. This is an opportunity to reflect on your experience and share a few drinks with new friends. We recommend booking the beach extension early so as to avoid disappointment – spaces are limited and rooms go fast!
- Standard £110 - A simple, yet beautiful resort overlooking the beach, with private double rooms, electricity, running water and air conditioning. Breakfast is included, other meals and drinks need to be purchased separately.
- Premium £175 - A premium beach resort with fantastic facilities, swimming pool, restaurant and bar featuring fresh local and international cuisine. There is electricity, running water and air conditioning. Breakfast is included, other meals and drinks need to be purchased separately. The premium package is the most comfortable package option.
Age Requirements
All participants must be aged 18 or older.
Kit List
- Torch and batteries
- Umbrella and a rain coat
- Mosquito repellent with 50% DEET
- Favourite food and snacks
- Anti bacteria hand gel
- Face coverings
- Printed proof of all COVID-19 vaccinations and any other essential documents
- Mosquito net (a double one is recommended as there are few single beds) and a sleeping bag liner
- Swimming costume/shorts
- Towel
- An old unlocked mobile phone - so you can buy a Sierra Leone sim and use the top up cards out here (considerably cheaper than using your UK phone)
- Rehydration Salt (Dioralyte)
- Immodium - your digestive system is likely to be a bit unsettled, prepare in advance!
- Insect bite cream
- Antiseptic cream and plasters
- Cards, games, activities for the evenings (electricity is not guaranteed)
- Money belt (not essential but a good idea)
FAQs
How old must I be to take part in the Sierra Leone Marathon & Cycle Challenge 2025 ?
All participants must be aged 18 or older.
Are flights included in the price of each package for the Sierra Leone Marathon 2023 & Cycle Challenge 2025?
No, flights are not included in the total cost. You will need to purchase these seperately.
Do I need a visa for the Sierra Leone Marathon & Cycle Challenge 2025?
You will need a visa, unless you are from West Africa. Street Child can help organise this and once you are registered we will issue a letter of invitation to accompany a visa application form. You can obtain a single visa in person or by post from the Sierra Leone High Commission in London. Visas are valid for 3 months from date of issue.
Is travel insurance included in the price for the Sierra Leone Marathon & Cycle Challenge 2025?
This is the responsibility of every individual runner. Make sure you are covered for sporting events of this nature and that it covers Sierra Leone. We ask that you make sure you are personally covered for your trip and the organiser will not allow you to take part in the event without travel insurance.
What money should I bring to the Sierra Leone Marathon & Cycle Challenge 2025?
Bring cash. Stirling notes are easily changed, as are dollars. Credit card use in Sierra Leone is very limited, and it is worth bringing a credit/debit card strictly as a back-up only (the banks in Makeni have chip and pin machines for emergency withdrawals).
How much of the package for the Sierra Leone Marathon & Cycle Challenge 2025 goes towards the charity?
The cost of your package covers the cost of your accommodation, transport, food and race costs. The charity does not make a profit on your package.
How much do I need to raise in order to be able to take part in the Sierra Leone Marathon & Cycle Challenge 2025?
Other than covering your costs to take part, we ask that you raise as much as you can! We ask every participant to commit to fundraising a minimum of £1,000 per person.
Street Child's experienced fundraising team and mentors will work with each participant to ensure they reach, and go beyond this target. Part of participants’ experience will be seeing where their money will be going and meeting some of the children we have already helped.
Reviews
This event currently has no reviews, why not be the first? You could help someone find their perfect event.
Event passed
Results & Photos
33 Broadwick St, London W1F 0DQ
Reg number 10083277
