About the race
The Big Five Marathon is an adventure marathon in the Entabeni Game Reserve in South Africa's Limpopo Province, between Johannesburg and the Kruger National Park. The organiser says the route crosses the habitat of the Big Five (elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard) with no fences between runners and the wildlife.
History
Wikipedia records the first race in 2005. It is organised by Albatros Adventure Marathons, a Copenhagen-based company that also runs the Iceland Volcano, Petra Desert and Great Wall marathons. Wikipedia lists a field of 195 participants in 2024. The listed course records are 3:15:31 for men, set by Nedd Brockmann in 2025, which beat Johannes Oosthuizen's 2010 mark by 30 seconds, and 3:45:24 for women, set by Anne-Sophie Eriksen in 2016.
The course
The organiser describes a sand and gravel route through savannah. Wikipedia calls the course a loop with an elevation difference of more than 540 metres between its lowest and highest points, and says the route is watched by helicopters and armed rangers. The organiser offers a 42.2 km marathon and a 21.1 km half marathon.
The 2027 edition
Registration for 2027 is open, with the race on 19 June 2027. The organiser's countdown shows a 09:00 start.
Entry basics
International runners must sign up for one of the organiser's tour packages to register. The listed options are a seven-day package from 16 to 22 June and an eight-day package from 15 to 22 June that adds two reserves and a visit to Soweto. Both include bush walks and game drives, with transport and accommodation as set out in the itinerary. The organiser also lists travel partners who offer marathon packages that include flights. Check the organiser for cut-off times and any qualifying standard.
Where to watch
The route runs through a private game reserve, and the organiser's pages are aimed at runners who book a package rather than at roadside spectators, so no public viewing points are listed.
Weather
The race is held in June, which is winter in the Southern Hemisphere. Wikipedia warns that although the marathon takes place in winter, the sun can be brutal on the open savannah, so runners should be prepared for strong exposure on the course.
SourcesBig Five Marathon home · Wikipedia: Big Five Marathon