Thu 3 Jul 2025 • Harry Gunn
A new marathon in Rwanda!
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Rwanda: The Land of a Thousand Hills
A new race in Rwanda!
Rwanda, the "Land of a Thousand Hills," immediately captured our imagination: a country with breathtaking natural beauty, a powerful history, and a generation of changemakers building something extraordinary.
At the heart of every Impact Marathon is our mission to use the power of running to create real, lasting change. Before we even map a race route, we spend time listening and learning from local communities to understand where our runners, and their fundraising, can have the greatest impact.
In Rwanda, this journey led us to an inspiring group of partners: Chance for Childhood, Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association, Health Poverty Action, and the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. These organisations are deeply embedded in their communities, creating long-term meaningful change. We knew immediately, these are the people we want to run for.
We began our journey through Rwanda with a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a powerful, emotional, and essential space that offers context to Rwanda’s recent history and its remarkable recovery. It set the tone for the week: we were stepping outside our comfort zones to learn about a new place, the challenges the country faces, and the development and progress it is seeing.
Chance for Childhood
From there, we dove into our first project visit with Chance for Childhood. We started by visiting a Physiotherapy group that supports children with disabilities. We saw firsthand how inclusive, community-led care is changing lives. Parents shared how Chance for Childhood had given their families a space to connect with others in similar situations, providing the support they need to help care for their children. The meeting ended with our group playing and interacting with the children, and a game of football broke out with kids from the local school.
In the afternoon, we visited Chance for Childhood's 'Big Pig Project', an initiative designed to empower families through livestock and sustainable agriculture. We were welcomed into the homes of several beneficiary families, who showed us the pigs they keep in their gardens and explained how the piglets enable them to afford the cost of living and pay for important hospital operations for their children.
The day rounded out with a full heart; a day of connection, humility, and hope. It was inspiring to see the incredible work that had been done, and we were proud to know that our fundraising would make a real difference in the lives of these children. We left feeling inspired to make an even greater impact when we return next year.
Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association (RWCA)
At Umusambi Village, Peace from RWCA shared their work reintroducing Grey Crowned Cranes and restoring biodiversity—it was inspiring to see real progress and increasing population numbers.
We travelled north to Rugezi Marsh, welcomed by Head Ranger Paul and his team with singing and dancing, an unforgettable welcome! Touring the wetlands by boat, we spotted Grey Crowned Cranes and Pelicans while learning about conservation efforts and how they support local livelihoods. A sudden downpour only added to the magic—umbrellas, laughter, and rainbows all around.
Later, we visited a women’s cooperative launched by RWCA to tackle habitat encroachment by offering sustainable alternatives. Equipped with tools and sewing machines, the women had spent a year developing their craft—but had so far lacked buyers.
When we began purchasing handmade clothes and baskets as souvenirs, the room erupted into singing and dancing. It was a powerful moment of connection and hope—showing just how sustainable livelihoods can grow from conservation. Many runners called it a highlight of the week.
This is also where our race day medals were made!
Health Poverty Action
We traveled to Rwanda’s Western Province with Health Poverty Action, where we joined local farmers in the tea fields they work in. The day provided a fascinating, behind-the-scenes look into the charity’s work. We began getting hands-on learning the process, donning the required PPE, a giant yellow "banana costume" looking gowns, and set about learning how to pluck the tea leaves ourselves.
Afterward, we took a guided tour of the Rwanda Mountain Factory to see the entire process, from field to packaging. It was interesting to learn that much of the tea is exported to countries like the UK.
The real value of the day went beyond the tea leaves. We learned about the training opportunities that Health Poverty Action provides, empowering local communities with the skills needed to secure jobs and create lasting pathways for change. Tea isn’t just a crop here—it’s a livelihood, a path to opportunity, and a symbol of regenerative, grassroots change.
Race Day – The Victory Lap
“Brutal, but Beautiful!” Our runners took on their race, choosing from 10km, half, and full marathon options. Together, they ran through the hills alongside our local charity partners, taking in breathtaking lake views and passing through villages where Chance for Childhood’s projects are making a difference. Many described it as one of the toughest races they’ve ever run, due to the challenging terrain of the "Land of a Thousand Hills”, but also one of the most rewarding. The warmth and support from the local community was felt along the way added a special touch to the experience.
Coming into the finish line, runners were welcomed with custom medals hand-woven by the women’s cooperative we visited earlier in the week, where else can you get a woven grass artisan medal?! As the event came to a close, we all gathered together; runners, charity partners, and team members, united by a common purpose: Impact. It was a moment to pause and reflect on the fundraising achieved and the incredible work happening everyday on the ground.
Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund
Gaining behind-the-scenes access to the Ellen DeGeneres Campus our runners learn about the groundbreaking work of Dian Fossey and and how the campus has since developed into a hub for science, conservation, and education. The campus now works with both wildlife and local communities, striving for a sustainable future.
After race day, some runners opted to continue their journey with an optional safari, visiting Rwanda’s stunning wildlife and seeing the famous gorillas in the wild—one of the most unforgettable experiences of all.
Why We Run
This week was a powerful reminder that running is more than just a sport, it’s a catalyst for change. The Rwanda Impact Marathon brought together people from around the world to run for a shared purpose. The stories we heard, the people we met, and the projects we supported… this is an Impact Marathon. And it’s just the beginning!
Sign Up for 2026 or 2027
We’re returning to Rwanda in 2026 and 2027 to build on the foundations and to make a real lasting impact. The hills are waiting, the impact is real, and the journey is yours to shape. Sign up now and we look forward to seeing you at the start line!
