Welcome to South Africa
The Big Five Marathon is held in the African savannah, among some of the area’s unique wildlife. Runners from all over the world will converge on one of the ‘Big Five’ game reserves in Africa to enjoy this exceptional race.
Travelling Fit is offering a 7 Day Package staying at the private game reserve Entabeni, located in the Limpopo Province, There is also plenty of opportunity to experience several game drives.
You also have the option to stay longer and treat yourself to one of the 3 extension options which include:
- 5 Days/4 Nights – Safari and Panorama Route
- 5 Days/4 Nights – Cape Town and Tour of the Winelands
- 5 Days/4 Nights – Victoria Falls and Chobe National Park
PLEASE NOTE: The extension packages sell out so you need to book in as soon as possible to avoid disappointment
- Packages Include
- Guaranteed Race Entry (Runners Only)
- 6 Nights Accommodation
Check in: Wed 11 June 2025
Check out: Tue 17 June 2025 - Full Board (Starting with Dinner on Day 1 and ending with breakfast on departure day)
- Return transfers between Johannesburg Airport and Entabeni Private Game Reserve (the last transfer on arrival departs at 4.00pm)
- Transport within Entabeni Game Reserve
- Game drives and activities as per the itinerary
- Route Inspection & Race Briefing followed by Buffet Lunch
- Celebration Dinner
- Personalised Travelling Fit Running Top
exclusive to Travelling Fit clients - Invite to Travelling Fit’s Big Five Marathon Closed Facebook group
exclusive to Travelling Fit clients
PACKAGE FLYERS
PACKAGE PRICES
The Course
The Big Five Marathon is known for its challenging course, which takes runners through incredible scenery and showcases the natural beauty and wildlife of South Africa.
The start and finish line are situated at Lakeside Lodge on the upper escarpment. After the start, the marathon and half marathon routes take the runners past Ravineside Lodge, the Entabeni Monolith and further on to the lower plateau. This first section is run on dirt roads made up of red sand. Runners will pass a few hills (nothing too bad…the most challenging is yet to come!). And when you reach Hanglip View Point, you backtrack and run back before you reach Yellow Wood Valley. Pay attention to this section as the surface is very uneven with loose rocks, pebbles and holes.
The Yellow Wood Valley is the most dreaded part of the course. You are about to run down the steepest slope of your life! This sharp descent is on a paved surface. The next three kilometres or so will be excruciatingly hard on your quads as you negotiate the steep slope. You reach lion country after the descent. And, although the next nine kilometres are flat, you’re running through deep sand. Full marathoners do a 9km loop, whereas half marathon runners run a 2km loop.
This brings us back to Yellow Wood. And yes, you guessed correctly – we’re going up the dreaded hill this time! Be prepared to take things slowly as it’s virtually impossible to run up this hill.
The route carries on to Long Drive, a narrow valley, where marathon runners do a 6km loop. Half marathoners run across the valley and reach the final section of the route. This section is run on dirt trails, a welcome respite from the deep sand and loose stone terrain earlier on.
The end of the run is fairly hard (final four kilometres). We run halfway down the ridge, which provides us with a wonderful view out over the plateau’s lake. The surface is fairly bad, consisting of hard uneven stony ground with plenty of large rocks and stones of all sizes. This final part has quite a few hills and as the surface is loose, it pays to keep a careful watch on the ground as we run towards the finish. With the finish line in sight, you can now take it nice and easy.
Testimonials
Race Information
Entry Fees
The entry fee for the Big Five Marathon is incorporated into the price of the package you choose and cannot be purchased independently.
Please note that all competitors MUST be 18 years of age on race day
Qualifying Times
There are no qualifying times for the Big Five Marathon.
Start Time
The marathon is planned to start at 09:00. Please note that the presence of wildlife near the route may cause delays.
Cut-Off Times
- Cut-off 1 – 26.5km – 4 hours and 15 minutes after the start
- Cut-off 2 – 32.5km – 5 hours and 30 minutes after the start
- Cut-off 3 – finish line – 7 hours after the start
Runners who haven’t reached the cut-off points in time will not be allowed to continue and will be picked up by a ranger vehicle and taken back to the finish line.
The cut-off times are strictly enforced to keep everybody safe!
Race Timing
The Big Five Marathon will be accurately timed using the ChampionChip system.
You will get two copies of the your bib number for the Big Five Marathon. Both must be worn visibly during the race – one on the front of your body and one on your back.
Race Packets
T-Shirts and Race information (including race numbers) will be handed out to you on inspection day.
Pace Setters
There are no pace setters in this event.
Aid Stations
Drinks stations are located along the route at approximately every 4km (2.5 miles). Water and Coca Cola are served at all stations.
The drinks stations will be open until the last runner has passed. Electrolyte drinks and bananas are served at selected drink stations and at the finish line.
A team of Danish doctors and South African paramedics will also be present during inspection and race days.
Personal Refreshments and Clothing
It is possible to leave jackets, sweaters, hat and other personal belongings at the start and pick it up after finishing the race.
If possible, please leave personal belongings in a bag or backpack. Please mark your personal belongings clearly with your name and bib number! Do not place any valuables among the items you hand in on race day.
Although the personal belongings are under staff surveillance, Entabeni Safari Conservancy and the Big Five Marathon organisers cannot be held responsible for any lost items.
Transport
You will be transported to the start of the Big Five Marathon on race morning and transported back after the race.
Expo
There is no Expo associated with the Big Five Marathon
Finishes T-Shirts, Medals and Certificates
All finishers will receive a t-shirt, certificate and finishers medal.
All results will be net time, meaning your time starts from the moment you cross the start line.
However, the top three male and female finishers of both distances are decided on gun time – the first three to physically cross the finish line.
Weather Conditions
The weather is very dry, sunny and cool at this time of the year. Participants can expect an average temperature of around 15-20 Celsius, but with variations due to sun, shade, wind and altitude.
Please Note: It can drop to between 0 and 5 degrees Celcius in the early mornings and overnight so please be sure to bring a warm coat, gloves, beanie and scarf.
