The 2012 Safaricom Lewa marathon raised Sh48m, a Sh5m increase from the amount realised in 2011. Tusk Trust CEO Charlie Mayhew said the amount has so far been distributed to various projects under the charity organisation including education, security, water, health and conservation programmes.

Speaking during the launch of the 2013 edition yesterday, Mayhew revealed of the amount, Sh5.4 has been directed to educational programmes targeting over 5,000 children in 15 primary and two secondary schools.

He said a further Sh1.8 was invested in community development programmes while Sh3.7m was directed towards health care, benefiting four hospitals in Meru, Isiolo, Timau and Nanyuki. Another Sh8.4m was donated to the Northern Range land Trust in support of water, security and infrastructural developments.

Lewa Conservancy was the biggest beneficiary, receiving Sh16m while Mt. Kenya Trust received Sh1.8m, an amount meant to help curb poaching in the vast Mt. Kenya National Reserve. Ngare Ndare Forest Trust got Sh1.6m to help in the conservation of the forest while Sh8.4m has been distributed to other far off projects including Lamu and Watamu Turtle Trusts, Koiyaki Gide School, Masailand Preservation Trust, Kora National Park, Kibodo Trust among others. The 2013 edition, themed - Run Wild For The Wild - will be held on June 29 and online registration has officially started at www.safaricom.co.ke/safaricommarathon

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