Countdown to race day
18 June 2024
With under two weeks to go, Longleat’s Lead carnivore keeper, Caleb, is putting the final touches to his preparations for the Lewa Safari Marathon in Kenya.
The 36-year-old is raising vital funds for Tusk, a conservation charity working across Africa to help threatened species and has been overwhelmed by the support from colleagues and visitors.
Caleb has worked at the estate for over 12 years, and during that time has developed a strong bond with the animals he works with each day. This year is the 25th Anniversary of the marathon, making the occasion even more important to Caleb.
Caleb said “It is an honour to be able to run this marathon and raise money for Tusk. I can’t believe I’m getting the opportunity to take on this challenge and I’m so excited to not only raise vital funds for Tusk, but also to run in the footsteps of these wild animals.
“I’m loving all the training I’ve been doing; in fact, I’m at a point now where I should be tapering off and resting before the event, but I’ve been enjoying it so much it’s been hard to stop! I’ve been running about 40 miles a week, which includes running half marathon distances on my days off.”
The iconic marathon takes place within the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Northern Kenya, surrounded by wildlife. Not only does it traverse many different terrains, but most of the course is between 1600 and 1700ft above sea level, making the physical toll that much harder.
“While I’ve prepared for the distance as much as possible, the biggest challenge I’ll face is the environment. The altitude will immediately slow me down compared to my usual pace, and the changing surfaces will be tough on my knees. I’m hoping to cross the finish line within four and half to five hours, but most importantly I want to make everyone proud.
“We are so close to hitting our fundraising goal, and I’m really grateful for everyone’s support for such a great charity. Tusk is helping threatened species across the continent, whether that’s tackling poaching, habitat loss or educating locals on how to live side by side with these animals, they are doing all they can to ensure that these incredible species are still here for the next generation to enjoy.”
https://gbp24.supportlewasafarimarathon.com/campaigns/Caleb-Hall
