Yes, Rwanda is considered one of the safest countries in Africa for travellers. It has a reputation for being peaceful and stable, with low crime rates compared to many other countries. The government places a strong emphasis on security and maintaining a safe environment for both locals and visitors.

For the Rwanda Impact Marathon, we work closely with local teams to ensure your safety throughout the event. Our routes are carefully planned, and we have security measures in place at accommodations and during any project visits. Additionally, there will be medical support available during the race and throughout your stay.

While Rwanda is generally very safe, as with any international trip, we recommend that participants take basic precautions, such as being aware of your surroundings, keeping valuables secure, and following any guidance provided by our team on the ground.

Yes! Fundraising is part of taking part, and it’s something we do together.

To make the sensory garden at the ASFA Centre a reality, the team needs to collectively raise £10,000. With a small group, that means aiming for around £1,000 per runner.

There’s no rigid individual target and no pressure to be a professional fundraiser. What matters is committing to the shared goal and giving it a proper go. We’ll support you with ideas, tools, and encouragement along the way...this is a team effort, and the garden only gets built if we make it happen together.

Race routes and elevation profiles for the Rwanda Impact Marathon are confirmed and released closer to the event once final permissions and community agreements are in place. This approach allows us to design routes that work with local villages, schools, and landowners rather than imposing fixed courses far in advance.

The event will include 10km, half marathon (21km), and full marathon (42km) distances, all on challenging rural terrain. Routes typically feature hills, heat, and mixed surfaces, and are designed to be demanding but accessible, with generous cut-off times and full on-course support.

Final route maps, elevation profiles, and logistical details are shared with participants well ahead of race week, giving everyone time to prepare appropriately.

Accommodation during the Rwanda Impact Marathon is simple, project-based, and on site, designed to keep the group close to the community we’re working with rather than moving between hotels. Participants stay at or alongside the ASFA physiotherapy centre in southern Rwanda, with a mix of shared indoor rooms and solo tents, depending on availability and personal preference.

Facilities are basic but comfortable, with access to washing and toilet facilities. This is not a hotel experience, and it’s intentionally different from more traditional marathon trips. Staying on site allows us to spend meaningful time together as a team and remain closely connected to the project and local community throughout the week.

For those who would like an extra night of comfort before or after the core programme, optional hotel nights are available as a bolt-on.

Rwanda Impact Marathon 2026 is intentionally designed as one shared experience, rather than multiple tiers or packages. Unlike some Impact events that offer different accommodation levels, this week is centred around a single project, one community, and one collective goal.

Everyone joins the event on the same basis, stays close to the project site, and contributes to the same outcome. Accommodation preferences, such as shared rooms or solo tents, are handled as practical logistics rather than separate participation tiers.

This approach keeps the focus on presence, contribution, and the shared experience...not on comparing options or upgrades.

No. You don’t need any prior experience in volunteering or charity work to join the Rwanda Impact Marathon. What matters most is an openness to learning, respect for the community you’re visiting, and a genuine interest in the project we’re supporting at the ASFA Centre in southern Rwanda.

To make sure everyone is prepared, all Impact Marathon runners are required to attend mandatory safeguarding webinars in the two months leading up to the event. These sessions provide the context, guidance, and practical training needed to engage responsibly with the community and projects we visit. No previous experience is required — the webinars give you everything you need to take part thoughtfully and confidently.

Our refund policy is outlined in the registration terms and operates on a sliding scale, based on how close you are to the event start date. Please note that the deposit (25% of the entry price, or £395 — whichever is higher) is non-refundable.

We also offer a flexible deferral policy:

• Pregnancy deferral: In line with our SheRaces policy, pregnant runners or new mothers are eligible for a two-year deferral.

• Free deferral: Each runner is entitled to one free deferral for injury or other unforeseen circumstances, which can be used for the following year or another Impact Marathon event.

• Additional deferrals: Further deferrals are subject to a £50 admin fee, and any difference in event pricing will apply.

• Group bookings: Separate deferral terms apply for group entries.

All runners are required to have valid travel insurance, which should cover cancellation, injury, and other unforeseen circumstances.

Yes, we’ll cater to various dietary preferences, including vegetarian and vegan options. Please let us know any specific dietary requirements when registering.

Yes, non-runners are welcome to join the event for the entirety of Impact Week. Come race day, they will be welcome to roam as spectators, volunteers, or (as has happened many times before), participants because they have been inspired by all the Impact Runners who are the most encouraging and inspiring group of humans!

The Rwanda Impact Marathon is delivered by a team with over 10 years’ experience organising races in challenging environments around the world. Comprehensive risk assessments and safety plans are in place, informed by both practical delivery experience and formal risk management procedures.

On race day, routes are fully marked and supported by marshals, medical staff, and roaming safety vehicles, ensuring runners are never far from assistance. Aid stations are positioned regularly along the course, and the event is closely coordinated with local partners and authorities.

The route is designed to be challenging but safe, focusing on community connection rather than extreme or technical terrain. As with any marathon event, running long distances carries inherent physical demands. All runners are expected to be in good physical condition and are strongly advised to seek medical clearance before taking part.

Yes. Water stations are positioned every 3–6km along the Rwanda Impact Marathon route to ensure regular hydration throughout the race. Aid stations are stocked with water, locally sourced snacks, and are supported by experienced medics and event staff.

In line with our SheRaces policy, women’s sanitary products are also available at aid stations, ensuring all runners are properly supported on race day.

The route is fully marked from start to finish, with clear signage and marshals at key points. All runners will also receive a GPX file in advance, which can be uploaded to your watch or device for additional reassurance.

Runners are well supported throughout the Rwanda Impact Marathon. The route is fully marked, with aid stations every 3–6km providing clean drinking water and locally sourced snacks. Wherever possible, food is sourced from within one mile of the race route, keeping support rooted in the local community.

Experienced medics and trained marshals are positioned along the course, and roaming support vehicles are in constant operation to ensure help is never far away if needed. Whether you require medical assistance, practical support, or simply a bit of encouragement, the team is there to keep you moving safely and confidently from start to finish.

That’s absolutely fine. In fact, it's pretty awesome news. Many runners join  Impact Marathons without having completed a marathon before. The event offers 10km, half marathon (21km), and full marathon (42km) distances, so you can choose a challenge that matches your experience and current fitness.

While some training is essential, you don’t need to be an elite runner to take part. What matters most is a willingness to prepare properly and approach the event with a steady, realistic mindset. The routes are demanding, but the focus is on participation and shared effort rather than finishing times.

Whether this is your first long-distance race or a new step up in your running journey, you’ll be supported throughout — before, during, and after race day.

You should consult your GP or a travel health clinic well in advance of travelling to Rwanda, as vaccination advice can vary depending on your personal medical history. They will be able to advise on recommended vaccinations and any additional health precautions.

All runners are required to have comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical treatment, emergency evacuation, and participation in endurance events. We’ll also share practical health guidance ahead of the trip, including information on hydration, heat management, and staying well in a rural environment.

Yes. There is some free time built into the week to rest, explore locally, and spend time with the group and community. That said, the core of the experience is centred around the project and shared time on site, rather than ticking off tourist highlights.

If you’d like to explore more of Rwanda, we encourage runners to arrive early or stay on after the main programme. Optional bolt-on experiences, such as gorilla trekking or wildlife safaris, can be arranged after the Impact Marathon week, depending on group interest and logistics.