St Helena to Host the World’s Most Remote Marathon in February 2026

Lace up for a race on the edge of the world

Photo credits: Craig Williams, Mathias Falcone and Palm Tribe

St Helena Island, located in the heart of the South Atlantic Ocean, will host the World's Most Remote Marathon on 22 February 2026, offering participants a once-in-a-lifetime challenge far from crowded city circuits. The race traverses the island’s dramatic landscapes, from lush green highlands to rugged cliffs overlooking the turquoise Atlantic, finishing in the island’s capital, Jamestown. Crossing the line secures a place among the select few who have completed one of the world’s most extraordinary marathons.

Runners can choose from the full marathon (42.2 km), half marathon (21.1 km), or 10 km distances all starting in the gardens of Plantation House, the historic home of the island’s Governor and Jonathan the tortoise, the world’s oldest living land animal. The course winds through forested lanes, mountainside trails, and cliff paths, immersing participants in St Helena’s raw and untouched natural beauty.

Entry to the marathon includes a race bib, T-shirt, and finisher medal, as well as access to a curated selection of bonus activities. Participants can test their endurance on the must-do Jacob’s Ladder climb, explore the island’s maritime history with the Wreck-to-Wreck swim, discover hidden valleys and peaks on guided hikes, and restore their muscles with post-race yoga sessions.

The marathon is the highlight of St Helena’s Adventure Week, a programme designed by St Helena Tourism to offer a full range of experiences for runners, families, and adventure seekers. Visitors can hike remote trails, swim or snorkel with whale sharks, kayak along pristine shores, or explore the island’s cultural and historic landmarks, making the event a complete bucket-list experience.

Travel to St Helena is supported by Airlink, with weekly flights from Johannesburg (Saturdays) and weekly summer flights from Cape Town (Tuesdays until mid March). Accommodation ranges from a boutique hotel and charming B&Bs to self-catering cottages.

The World’s Most Remote Marathon is more than a race; it is a unique opportunity to explore one of the world’s most isolated islands while testing physical and mental endurance. The 2026 edition invites adventurous travellers to experience St Helena in all its natural, historic, and cultural glory.

The price to enter is £65 (R 1,450) for the full marathon, £38 (R 850) for the half and £20 (R 450) for the 10 km.

For more information and to enter visit: https://sthelenatourism.com/marathon

About St Helena Island

St Helena is one of the world’s most remote inhabited islands, located in the South Atlantic Ocean between Africa and South America. A British territory since 1659 (with a brief Dutch interval), the island retains remarkable heritage from its East India Company era, particularly in the historic capital, Jamestown. At just 47 square miles, with a small population and unspoilt landscapes, St Helena offers visitors tranquillity, natural beauty and a sense of discovery. The island is accessible via weekly flights from Johannesburg, with seasonal services from Cape Town. For more information on St Helena visit: https://sthelenatourism.com/