Sports tourism is a booming trend this year, with increasing numbers of holidaymakers travelling either to watch or participate in sporting events. With a new course for 2024 and packages for all budgets, the Street Child Sierra Leone Marathon is the perfect alternative destination for travellers looking for an active and socially conscious holiday this year.
Winding through tropical jungle and local villages, the Street Child Sierra Leone Marathon takes runners off the beaten track through some of the most stunning scenery in Sierra Leone. The event, taking place this year on Sunday 5 May, is one of the world’s most challenging and exciting running events, described by marathon legend Nick Butter as one of his “favourite events of all time” and by many as one of the world’s most “crazy” and “worthwhile” marathons.
Despite the rewardingly challenging conditions of the Sierra Leonean heat and terrain, the Street Child Sierra Leone Marathon is as warmly welcoming and inclusive as the country itself. Participants have five options to choose from: a 5km or 10km course around the scenic city of Makeni; a half marathon snaking its way around the edges of Wusum Hill; a full marathon past some of the region’s historical and cultural treasures; or a brand new 75km cycling route, designed in partnership with the team behind Sierra Leone’s very own Tour de Lunsar.
For 2024, an exciting new, scenic marathon route has been announced, offering participants the chance to be amongst the first to tackle this course. The Street Child Sierra Leone Marathon is one of few such events where runners can see the impact of their fundraising in action en route, taking runners and cyclists past communities which have benefited from Street Child projects and through areas where Street Child is working to transform lives. This makes the event a joyfully optimistic reminder of the huge steps the country is making, the resilience of its people and communities, and the international projects supporting Sierra Leone’s progress.
Hosted by Street Child, one of the world’s fastest growing international children’s charities, the Street Child Sierra Leone Marathon is more than simply a race. Participants can choose from three- to five-night packages, ranging from £499 to £1,299, which include accommodation, food and race entry. Through these packages, guests will not only take part in their chosen event, but also have the unique opportunity to visit projects supported by Street Child and fully immerse themselves in local culture, exploring the country with like-minded individuals, attending workshops and learning about Street Child’s work. All money from entrant packages and that raised by the event will go towards supporting Street Child’s life-changing work, both in Sierra Leone and across the world.
The Street Child Sierra Leone Marathon, with its exciting innovations for 2024, are by no means the only reason to visit the country this year. 2024 is an exciting time for Sierra Leone, which is investing heavily in its tourism and, in particular, in its eco and sustainable tourism initiatives. The country truly is set to become one of the must-visit destinations for this year and beyond. Visitors can get ahead of the trend, combining taking part in the marathon with a wider exploration of this emerging destination that is ripe for exploration. The 2024 Street Child Sierra Leone Marathon and satellite events coincides with the UK May Bank Holiday, with marathon packages offered between 1st May – 6th May 2024.
For the ultimate 2024 travel experience, participants can combine a run or cycle with Street Child with an extension to their stay in Sierra Leone. Rainbow Tours’ new ten-night Sierra Leone Discovery trip takes visitors through the highlights of the country, from spotting chimpanzees – Sierra Leone’s national animal – at Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary to discovering the country’s past at Bunce Island and Tasso Island. After the exertions of running a marathon, there is no better way to kick back and celebrate than by soaking up some sunshine on one of the country’s world-renowned beaches – Tokeh Beach and Bureh Beach.
For more information on the Street Child Sierra Leone Marathon, or to book, visit here. Three-night packages start at £399 per person and five-night packages start at £499 per person.
For more information on Rainbow Tours’ ten-night guided Sierra Leone Discovery package, or to book, visit here. Prices start at £3,992 per person, including flights, accommodation and all listed meals and activities.
To read more about the work and impact of Street Child, visit here. For more information on Sierra Leone as a tourist destination, visit here.
Main image: Tolu Jethro Bade 2023 – Street Child UK, Sierra Leone.
