February 27 - March 3 2024 | Guatemala
Guatemala Impact Marathon 2024
Sculpt the young leaders of a nation and run our most iconic course
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THE EXPERIENCE
The 2024 Edition will be our 7th race in this extraordinary country, and once more, our iconic race route on Pacaya Volcano will be the climax of a truly powerful and remarkable week. With our charity partners, SERES, we will be catalysing change through the power of youth.. Proving them with knowledge, skills, attitudes, values and the support they need to thrive as adults, enjoy good health, succeed economically and make meaningful contributions to their communities.
HIGHLIGHTS
The Athletes' Village
Inspired by Guatemalan art and recognised worldwide, our Athlete's Village is located in the heart of beautiful Antigua Guatemala, a colonial city that bears the title of Cultural Heritage of Humanity by Unesco. With a traditional style and with an exceptional view of the volcanoes from our gardens, this will be your home for the week.
Huge long-term impact
This is what makes your time here so unique. Get ready to meet our charity partner SERES and their work focused on the Guatemalan youth. Proving them with knowledge, skills, attitudes, values and the support they need to thrive as adults, enjoy good health, succeed economically and make meaningful contributions to their communities.
Race the live volcano
Get ready for a 2000m climbing up to 2400 altitude to the crater of an active volcano, where you feel the rumble of the earth beneath your feet and the deep black lava rocks.
Surprisingly Incredible
Get ready for a nation that surprises you and has you questioning why it took you so long to visit. One of our favourite things about this race is just how much this country captures our Impact Runners. It's a nation that surprises you and has you questioning why it took you so long to visit. We’re sure you’ll be looking for ways to come back -after all our most repeated race!
THE TRIP
Day 1 - 27th February
¡Bienvenidos!
DETAILSWelcome to Guatemala Impact Marathon!
After your flight arrives in to Guatemala City during the day, you’ll be whisked to our Athletes' Village, a short drive from the UNESCO World Heritage town of Antigua. Here you’ll get to know your fellow travellers whilst enjoying an evening of amazing Guatemalan food and starting to learn more of what you'll be experiencing this week. We like to keep much of the week’s activities a surprise, so we’ll be revealing lots more over a glass of beer this evening.
Day 2 - 28th February
To Ulew we go...
DETAILSWe are heading off early doors to get to Ulew Fuego, the SERES land that is open for community leaders, the youth, professionals to learn and teach sustainable techniques to others, to generate jobs and income for the surrounding communities. You’ll spend the core of the day understanding and working with SERES in the land so you can experience where your fundraising is going.
Day 3 - 29th February
Hello Artistas del Astillero
DETAILSWe will be visiting a tiny community outside of the amazing and tourist Antigua Guatemala - Artistas del Astillero - an organisation that provides art lessons and hands on experiences for children in the community. You'll have the opportunity to learn more about the challenges the community faces and how Aura, the founder, is tackling education, health, finance with children from 4 - 12 years old.
Day 4 - 1st March
Camping under the stars
DETAILSNight before Raceday we've got a treat in store. We'll arrive to Finca El Amate through the afternoon. You'll have time to walk the lava fields, get a feel of what is it like to run on them. You'll have time to explore, take photos that aren't you being a sweaty mess. You'll have time to do some yoga under the shadow of a volcano that is actively pumping gas and lava above your heads... and then we get to camp! There's nothing like opening that tent on race day morning, seeing the volcano ahead of you and knowing that in a very rare moment, that you are literally 50 meters from the start line and you can get the time to get ready. This is a majestic climax to the week a treat and we know you are going to love it!
Day 5 - 2nd March
Run the live volcano
DETAILSThe moment has come. Start line, time to run together, as a community in one of the world’s most outstanding locations. The magic of race day: Get ready for a remarkable finish line moment as you take the final steps of the hardest race of your life. And at that finish line, we’ll have a huge welcome home for you. Party into the night, you deserve it...
Day 6 - 3rd March
Homecoming
DETAILSThe race is over and you’ll have the usual aches and pains to remind you. To take your mind off it we have organised some incredible experiences that show you the very best that Guatemala has to offer. Alternatively, and reluctantly, we will let you return home!
INCLUDED
Accommodation
Transport (excluding airport transfer)
Race entry
Meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Iconic Handmade Medal
Impact Stash
Entry to National Park
Entry to Finca El Amate
Sunset Yoga
Impact Itinerary
Project Visits
24/7 Team Impact Support
Race Training Plan
Welcome Beers & Guatemala Gin
Outrageous Race Photos
Lifelong friends & memories for a lifetime!
NOT INCLUDED
Flights
Alcohol, snacks, refreshments
Visa
Airport transfers
Travel insurance
Mobile data
Souvenirs
Tips
Bespoke Race Coaching
HOSTS
An ever-present in the team, Pablo is a guide who knows the trails of the region like few others. We keep trying to get him to run them, but he is a mountain biker through and through. When you walk through Antigua with Pablo, be sure to add an extra half an hour for all the people who stop him to say 'hola'. In the last four years, the race has also had a huge impact on Pablo himself: “I was used to seeing communities in need and be powerless, then with Impact I learned that sometimes, even small thing matters to people, so if there’s something small I can do as an individual, I do it!"
Dave Melody has become a cult figure at the Guatemala Impact Marathon. Instantly recognised by all those who have run the race and loved by us all too. He first came to Impact as a runner in our 2019 event in Guatemala. Since then, Dave ran with us in Nepal and returned to Guatemala in 2020. Dave works extensively with organizations that provide educational opportunities to children in indigenous communities in Guatemala, unrelated to Impact. He has now joined the team as the Impact Week coordinator for 2022, where he can share his experiences from working in the country with the international runners joining us this year.
We love Alma! We first met here back in year 1! She helped us translate in our very first year and then she just fell in love with the our vision. This will be Alma's second year leading the Impact Runner Development Fund in Guatemala (you will hear more about this soon) and her sixth year as part of our core team in country. She's a full Impact Runner, an agroforestry engineer and one of the most incredible humans we've ever come across!
After the pandemic enforced Nick to take a year away from Guatemala, he will be back to share in a race and a country he has completely in his heart. Nick created Impact Marathons way back in 2015 to use running as a tool to change the world. He has designed routes across the world and built the series from a dream to reality. His Spanish is not as good as he claims but he continues trying his best and making mistakes. This year, he'll be taking a backseat as the Guatemalan team drives the race...should he join in the run?
Liza joined the team - officially - in 2022. Her first Impact Marathon full in action! She's a comms expert so anything related to Guatemala, Spanish, where to go, what to buy, etc... she's your girl. Liza helps us with every single message that you receive prior to the race, during the race, and after the race! She loves road running - but we are 100% confident that will change into trail running very soon!
Sara has been involved in every single Guatemala Impact experience and has grown to be Co-Executive Directer of both our charity partner, SERES as well as a key leader of Impact during our time working together. She is the heartbeat of the week, and we are always indebted to the level of preparation and care she puts into the Impact experience. Her bilingual skills are in constant demand so the runners can follow the stories as they develop through the week. Her passion for the youth and for her country constantly inspires our team.
GALLERY
THE IMPACT
We support those crazy enough to think they can change their communities. We have two projects we passionately believe have the power to change lives. At Impact HQ, we believe in blending the long-term systemic change, with powerful short-term impact. You'll learn more about our two partner organisation as you begin your fundraising and, of course, throughout the Impact Week itself.
SERES
Our long-time partners, SERES have been with us since the first time we visited the country. A female-led group of remarkable humans. They are dedicated to the patient, sometimes challenging goal of changing the future of a nation, one community at a time. Indeed, one leader at a time. They support youth to find their voice, find their audience, and instigate sustainable change. The centrepiece of their work is Ulew Fuego, a biodiverse piece of land on the slopes of the volcano where a leadership training centre has now been built. This year, we are launching Ulew Sports to harness the power of trail running in the leadership training process - yes, trail running is going to change even more lives, and your support makes that happen!
Artistas de El Astillero
This was a new partner, brought to us by Pablo for the 2023 race. After two short meetings with the leader Aura, we were blown away. Passion, convicition, and determination pour forth in every single word, and every single action. Artistas de El Astillero Cultural project focuses on children, youth and adults, from a community with limited resources. This is a community that lies just above Antigua, yet wasn't even on Google Maps prior to 2023. We will be walking to the project and spending time supporting the power of art in the lives of this amazing group of children. If ever you want to see the impact of every single $, this is it.
FAQS
What is an Impact Marathon?
An Impact Marathon is not just a race. It is a life-changing experience. For one week, you will be taken into the Impact Family, meet people from all over the world united in a movement to change the world for the better, through the power of running.
What are the package options for Guatemala Impact Marathon?
There are two options for accommodation:
Summit Camp - This will be our standard package going forward in Guatemala. You'll get a beautiful twin/double room right in the heart of Antigua. If you've signed up with a friend, or partner, you'll be sharing here. If you've signed up solo, then you'll be sharing with another Impact Runner - lifelong friends will be made! When we head to the night of camping, you'll be sharing a two-man tent.
Quetzal Camp - This is our single supplement option. You'll have the same room as Summit Camp, but all to yourself. When we head to the night of camping, you'll also have your own tent ahead of race day.
How much should I aim to raise for Guatemala Impact Marathon?
We have a race goal that all Impact Runners work towards! This is not an arbitrary number, it is created in partnership with the charities we support in order to achieve a specific goal. This normally averages just over £1000 per Impact Runner, however you can select a target that challenges, excites, and motivates you. We do not set a minimum individual target.
What is not included in the price for Run The Live Volcano?
International flights, airport transfers, travel insurance, rest day lunch, visa and alcohol/snacks.
Can I register just for race day?
If you are a citizen or resident in Guatemala, we open up race only registrations in July/August for this. We have grown to be the 2nd largest trail race in the nation, and we are incredibly proud to be the only international trail organisation in the nation.
How hard is the race route? Honestly?
It's tough.
Make no mistake about it. In every metric, our full marathon is one of the hardest races in the world. But that only tells half the story. We are incredibly proud of the inclusive energy generated at every Impact Marathon. Come as you are.
If this is your first race, or you are joining your partner on this crazy adventure - then you can pick the 10km or 21km and run as much as you can. We welcome those who need to walk a bit (literally everyone on this route, at some point). And we create generous cut-offs that not only keep you safe, but allow you the chance to complete the most challenge race of your life.
As a team, we look to get you to that finish, not pull you off the course. For that reason, and with our experience knowing every single element of the route, you are guaranteed the most memorable race of your life - no matter how experienced a trail runner you are.
Are there water stations? And is the route well-marked?
Yes and yes.
There are water stations every 3-6km across the entire route. We have experiences medics around the route, lots of food, and even women's sanitary products at every station (Check out our SheRaces policy!)
The course is marked throughout, and we will give you all a GPX to add to your watch. For the main, there is one trail that you follow, and can't go wrong.
