Big Five Marathon 2027: Course Guide, Race Strategy & Tips

There are marathons where you run through cities with thousands of strangers cheering from the footpath. And then there is the Big Five Marathon, where the only audience along most of the route is a giraffe or two, a herd of buffalo and the occasional lion who hasn’t quite vacated the course yet. This is Africa. There are no fences between you and any of it.

Held every June inside the Entabeni Game Reserve in South Africa’s Limpopo Province, the Big Five Marathon is one of the most singular running experiences on the planet. The 22,000-hectare private reserve sits inside the malaria-free UNESCO Waterberg Biosphere, about three hours north of Johannesburg. The race takes its name from the five animals that dominate the reserve: lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo. At any moment during the race, all five could be within sight. Armed rangers on foot and helicopters overhead are the only things standing between you and a race report nobody would believe.

But do not mistake what kind of race this is. The Big Five Marathon is not a PB course. Forty-two kilometres of red sand, gravel and rocky trail include a 3.2-kilometre paved descent with a 42 percent gradient that destroys quads before delivering runners into nine kilometres of deep soft sand at the valley floor. With 885 metres of total elevation gain, finishing times cluster between four and six hours even for runners who go sub-four on roads. This is an adventure race that happens to be marathon distance, not the other way around.

The 2027 edition runs on 19 June with registration now open. Field sizes are capped at 300 for safety and the 2026 edition sold out entirely. If you are planning to be here, the time to book is now. Everything that follows is what you need to know before you do.

Race at a Glance

What Makes the Big Five Marathon Worth Running?

No Fences, No Barriers, No Safety Net

The thing that separates the Big Five Marathon from every other race on earth is the absence of fences. Most wildlife encounters in Africa involve barriers or safari vehicles. Not here. The course runs directly through lion territory, elephant corridors and rhino habitat. Helicopters sweep the route and armed rangers position themselves along the way, but there is nothing physical between you and the animals. Runners regularly encounter zebras, giraffes, impalas and warthogs within a few metres of the track. Lions have occasionally caused the start to be delayed. This is the real thing, not a simulation, and it fundamentally changes what running feels like.

A Marathon That Is Actually a Safari

You are not signing up for a race. You are signing up for six days inside one of South Africa’s great game reserves, with the marathon as the centrepiece. Game drives at sunrise and sunset, bush walks with armed rangers, a traditional South African boma dinner under the open night sky and accommodation ranging from authentic tented camps to lake-view lodges are all part of the package. Non-runners can come as spectators and enjoy the full experience. This is why the Big Five Marathon attracts couples, groups and families who are not all runners. The race would be worth doing even if the course were flat and boring. It is neither.

You Do Not Need to Be a Fast Runner

There is no qualifying standard. The 7-hour finish window for the full marathon and the 6h45m window for the half are generous enough that experienced runners at all pace levels can complete the course. What the windows do not forgive is poor pacing strategy or inadequate quad preparation. Come ready for the terrain and clear-eyed about what your road pace means on deep sand after a 42-percent descent. It means nothing. Come for the experience, not the time on the clock.

Entabeni Makes Everything Possible

Entabeni covers 22,000 hectares of malaria-free bushveld in the Waterberg region, part of the UNESCO Waterberg Biosphere Reserve. Five distinct ecosystems sit within a single reserve: open savannah, rocky escarpment, wooded valley, wetland and dry riverbed. Every one of them appears on the marathon course. The reserve is privately owned and exclusively accessed through the Albatros tour package, which is why the field stays small and the experience stays intimate. Roughly 300 runners share 220 square kilometres of wilderness for race week. That ratio shows in every part of the experience.

The Course Difficulty Is the Point

Race promotions for the Big Five lead with the wildlife. What they bury in the fine print is the terrain. 885 metres of elevation gain on technical trail surfaces, a descent you genuinely cannot run and nine kilometres of deep soft sand at the valley floor add up to one of the most physically demanding marathons in the world. The men’s course record stood for 15 years before Nedd Brockmann broke it in 2025. The women’s record from 2016 still stands. This course ages well because it is genuinely hard, and finishing it means something precisely because of that.

The Celebration Dinner Closes the Loop

On the evening after race day, Albatros hosts a traditional South African boma dinner: open air, under the winter sky, with a bonfire, live entertainment and the prize ceremony. After one of the most brutal 42-kilometre experiences of your life, sitting around a fire with 300 people who went through the same thing is genuinely special. Dress warm — the Waterberg drops sharply after sunset in June and the boma has no roof. Bring your warmest post-race layers.

The Course at Entabeni, Segment by Segment

0–10km: Upper Escarpment and the Entabeni Monolith

The race starts at Lakeside Lodge on the upper escarpment at roughly 1,167 metres. Both the marathon and half marathon share this opening section. The first kilometres run on wide red sand dirt roads past Ravineside Lodge and the Entabeni Monolith, a striking volcanic rock formation that dominates the skyline and sets the tone immediately. Open grassland, distant mountains and animals grazing metres off the track make this one of the most visually extraordinary starts in distance running.

The terrain here is rolling rather than flat, with gradual climbs but nothing alarming. Most runners go out too fast. The red sand underfoot feels firm in the cool June morning air and the wildlife sightings create an adrenaline runners do not fully account for. The route climbs steadily toward Hanglip Viewpoint. From around the 8km mark, the surface becomes increasingly uneven: loose rocks, pebbles and ankle-threatening holes appear without warning. Start watching your foot placement well before you think you need to.

10–14km: Hanglip Viewpoint and the Approach to the Edge

Hanglip Viewpoint at roughly 10km is the highest point on the course at 1,702 metres. Every runner’s bib number is recorded here. The views across the reserve are extraordinary and give you your first clear look at the valley you are about to descend into. From here the course doubles back briefly before turning toward the head of Yellowwood Valley. The 10km to 14km stretch is where the course begins its real deception: what looks manageable on the elevation map becomes a technical, ankle-rolling scramble over loose shale and rock. Take it carefully. Your quads will need everything they have for what comes next.

14–17km: The Yellowwood Valley Descent

At 14km the Yellowwood Valley descent begins. This is the most defining section of the entire Big Five Marathon and the one that nobody seems to adequately describe in advance. It is 3.2 kilometres long, with a 42 percent gradient, on a paved surface. You cannot run it. Attempting to run it will cost you the back half of the race. The correct technique is a controlled, short-stepped descent with your weight slightly back and your core engaged to protect the quads. Even with perfect technique, your legs take significant damage here. This section takes most recreational runners 30 to 45 minutes to navigate. Every minute saved through technique is minutes you will want badly at km22.

17–26.5km: Lion Territory and the Deep Sand Loop

At the bottom of the valley is the lower escarpment, known to runners as lion territory. The terrain shifts completely. For approximately nine kilometres the course is flat, but the surface is deep, soft, heavy sand. This is the section that does not appear on the elevation chart and that catches most runners completely off guard. After destroying quad strength on the descent, they arrive expecting relief from climbing. What they get is sand that swallows every footstep and adds 30 to 60 percent to the effort per kilometre regardless of fitness level. Expect paces of 8 to 10 minutes per kilometre for most recreational runners here. Many walk the majority of it.

A wristband checkpoint sits near Hanglip Mountain Lodge within this section. Full marathon runners must receive a wristband and wear it from here to the finish line. No wristband means disqualification. Half marathon runners receive their wristband after the dam crossing earlier in the section. The first cut-off falls at 26.5km: four hours and 15 minutes after the gun.

The sand loop passes through areas where lions have been recorded within metres of the route during previous editions. Rangers are positioned throughout. Keep moving at whatever pace you can sustain.

26.5–35km: The Long Drive Valley Loop (Marathon Only)

At the 26.5km wristband point the marathon and half marathon routes diverge. Half marathon runners cross Long Drive valley and move toward the final section. Full marathon runners enter an additional six-kilometre loop through the narrow valley known as Long Drive. This is where the second cut-off falls: 32.5km in five hours and 30 minutes. The Long Drive section transitions back toward mixed gravel and rocky trail as elevation gradually returns. After the relentlessness of the sand section, the change in surface and the light climbing rhythm can feel paradoxically welcome. Your legs will disagree, but your mind may appreciate the shift.

35–42.2km: The Final Push to Lakeside Lodge

The closing section does not offer a straightforward run-in. After rejoining the shared route and heading back up toward the upper escarpment, runners navigate a small valley, a slight climb and descent, then drop into a final remote valley before the last steep climb back up to Lakeside Lodge. This final push is physically demanding for legs that have already absorbed the Yellowwood Valley descent and the sand loop. The 7-hour cut-off applies at the finish line. Runners crossing in the 5h30m to 6h30m range are doing well by Big Five standards. The finish area at Lakeside Lodge is met with cheering from spectators, tour staff and rangers. A post-race leg massage is included in every package.

Big Five Marathon 2027 — Registration and Entry

Registration for the 2027 edition opened on 12 August 2026. All international runners must purchase an Albatros tour package to enter. Race entry cannot be purchased independently unless you are a permanent South African resident. The race entry fee of EUR 375 per distance is included in the package price and covers timing, transport, the medical team, your bib and medal, the exclusive race T-shirt and a post-race leg massage. Spectators book the same packages without the race entry component.

The 8-day package begins one day earlier at the Zebra Reserve before moving to Entabeni, with a visit to the Soweto township included. Both packages end on 22 June with the transfer back to Johannesburg Airport or the start of optional extensions.

Within the 7-day package, five accommodation tiers are available inside Entabeni. Your accommodation choice determines your total package cost:

Distance changes are permitted up to 10 days before the race. Not on race day. Contact a race director after the briefing on Inspection Day if you need to change distance while on tour.

Extensions available from 22 June: Big Five Safari and Panorama Route (4 days, EUR 1,990) and Victoria Falls and Chobe National Park, Botswana (4 days, EUR 2,690). Details at big-five-marathon.com/package-add-ons.

Race Week Schedule — Big Five Marathon 2027

The schedule below is for the 7-day package (16–22 June 2027). The 8-day package adds one night at the start at Zebra Reserve. All meals listed are included in the package.

Weather on Race Day at Entabeni

June is South Africa’s dry winter, which makes for near-perfect trail running conditions: clear skies, low humidity and cool air through the morning. The critical weather issue at the Big Five is the temperature swing. Pre-dawn transfers from the lodges to the start line can be genuinely cold, near or below freezing. Bring warm winter clothes for game drives and the early morning transfer. Once the sun rises over the escarpment by mid-morning, exposed sections of the upper plateau warm up quickly. Sunscreen applied before the start is not optional — winter sun at 1,700 metres on open savannah is intense. The dry air and the altitude also accelerate fluid loss more than most runners expect. Hydrate the day before and drink at every water station on the course.

Prize Money and Elite Information

Past Results — Champions and Course Records

Results verified from live.ultimate.dk (official timing provider for the Big Five Marathon) and Wikipedia. Half marathon note: Gerda Steyn, three-time Comrades Marathon champion, won the women’s half marathon at the 2026 edition in 2:03:51.

⚡ 2025 men’s course record. The spread between Nedd Brockmann’s 3:15:31 in 2025 and the typical winning range of 3:55–4:20 in other editions shows how much this course rewards technical trail ability over raw marathon fitness. Marelise Retief’s back-to-back podium finishes in 2024 (3:54:25, first) and 2026 (4:00:01, first) mark her as the standout repeat performer on the course.

Spectator Guide

The Big Five Marathon takes place entirely inside a private game reserve with no public road access along the course. Unlike city marathons, there are no footpaths or viewing corridors for roadside spectators. All spectators must be guests of Entabeni via an Albatros tour package. But the spectator experience is unique in ways no city race can match: game drives, bush walks, a front-row seat at the start and finish at Lakeside Lodge and the Celebration Dinner boma on Day 5.

Where to Stay — Accommodation at Entabeni

All accommodation for the Big Five Marathon is within Entabeni Game Reserve and is bundled into the tour package price. There is no option to stay outside the reserve and participate in the race. Your choice of accommodation determines your total package cost. The five options range from authentic tented bush camps at the entry price to a premium conservation lodge at the top tier. All include meals as per the itinerary (breakfast, lunch and dinner on most days). Runners who choose Lakeside Lodge stay at the start and finish venue — the shortest morning transfer on race day.

WiFi is available in lodge lobby areas; expect limited or no connection in rooms. Power is 230V at 50Hz using South African Type C, D, M and N plugs — bring a universal adapter. South Africa experiences occasional brief power outages; most lodges have backup systems. Tap water in the reserve is generally not recommended for drinking; lodges provide large water tanks for refilling bottles.

International Runners — Visa and Travel

Participants are responsible for confirming their own visa requirements at dha.gov.za. Vaccinations may be required before travel to South Africa; some courses need multiple doses spaced weeks apart. Begin health preparations at least 3 months before the race. Entabeni is inside a malaria-free zone, which is one of the genuine logistical advantages of this race over other African safari destinations.

A Short History of the Big Five Marathon

The Big Five Marathon was first held in 2005, conceived by Albatros Adventure Marathons, a Danish travel and adventure company that has since built a portfolio of extreme-location races across the world from Greenland to China to the Jordanian desert. The founding idea was straightforward but genuinely audacious: put a marathon inside a private South African game reserve, remove the fences and let runners experience the wilderness on foot at pace. In the early years the field was small — around 100 runners split across the full and half marathon, with a mix of South African locals and international runners drawn primarily by Albatros’s Scandinavian network. The large Danish contingent the race attracted in its early editions was a direct reflection of who organised it.

The race built its reputation steadily through the late 2000s and 2010s. The men’s course record was set in 2010 by Johannes Oosthuizen and stood untouched for 15 years until Australian ultra-endurance athlete Nedd Brockmann — by then already known for running 1,000 miles across Australia — broke it at the 2025 edition with a 3:15:31. The women’s course record of 3:45:24, set by Anne-Sophie Eriksen in 2016, remains on the board. COVID forced a cancellation in 2020, but the race returned in 2021 and has seen growing international interest since. The 2026 edition sold out completely. For the 2027 edition Albatros opened registration in August 2026 with a cap of 300 runners across both distances.

Twenty years in, the Big Five Marathon remains precisely what it set out to be: a race that asks what it actually means to run in the wild. The Entabeni reserve has grown as a conservation destination over the same period, attracting runners from across 30-plus countries annually. The partnership between Albatros and Entabeni has created something neither side could have built alone: a race with a genuinely earned reputation as one of the most extraordinary physical experiences in sport. It is not an easy experience. That is the point.

How the Big Five Marathon Compares to Other Adventure Marathons