Caleb runs the Lewa Safari Marathon

Lead carnivore keeper Caleb Hall is marking the 60^th anniversary of the Drive-Through Safari opening by running one of the toughest marathons in the world.

Caleb will be pounding the roads of Lewa in northern Kenya in the annual safari marathon on 27 June.

The 38-year-old had hoped to run the 2024 event but political unrest as he and others arrived in the country left the organisers with no option other than to cancel.

The event supports conservation projects across Kenya with monies raised by Longleat and others for Tusk, the conservation charity.

Caleb, who looks after the big cats at Longleat which opened the first Drive-Through safari outside of Africa in 1966, said: “It’s always been a marathon I have wanted to run. It’s for a good cause and it’s one of the toughest marathons in the world.

“Wildlife will be around us as the route is on a conservancy so it’s likely we will see rhino, zebras and giraffes as we run but I have confidence in the rangers and support staff who will keep us safe as they will be patrolling the route.”

The dream to complete the Tusk Lewa Marathon came after watching episodes of the BBC television programme Animal Park which featured the training and completion of the marathon by a previous Longleat keeper.

“Watching Animal Park inspired me to become a keeper and to do the Lewa marathon. I have run the London marathon and Lewa is the only other one I’ve ever wanted to do.

“While I’m in the area I’m going to visit projects which have been supported by Tusk thanks to donations by Longleat and our guests including a local school, a water project and Lion Landscapes which supports lions and local people.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing how the fund-raising supports conservation which is also at the heart of what we do here at Longleat to protect critically endangered, endangered and vulnerable animals for the future.”

Caleb hopes to complete the marathon in five to six hours – his usual time is around four hours but says the heat and altitude in Kenya will impact the timings. The course will take him across savannah plains, riverbanks and acacia woodland.

He aims to raise £1750 for Tusk and donations can be made via the fundraising site Caleb runs the Lewa Safari Marathon!