Why Run One of the World’s Most Remote Marathons? Discover St Helena on the Run
- Sebastian Sarrasin
- 5 hours ago
- 3 min read
What if your next marathon wasn’t through a busy city, surrounded by thousands of spectators and familiar landmarks, but across one of the most remote and extraordinary islands on Earth?
Welcome to St Helena, where running a marathon becomes far more than a sporting challenge. It becomes an adventure, a journey of discovery and a chance to experience a destination unlike anywhere else.
St Helena Island Marathon - One of the most remote marathons in the world - offers runners the opportunity to explore this remarkable South Atlantic island on foot, combining an unforgettable sporting challenge with spectacular scenery, fascinating history and the warm welcome for which St Helena is known.
A marathon like no other
Forget the crowds and the city traffic. On St Helena, the scenery takes centre stage.
The island’s volcanic landscape creates a spectacular backdrop for runners, with dramatic hills, lush highlands, rugged coastline and sweeping views across the South Atlantic. The route takes participants through some of the island’s most distinctive landscapes before the finish in historic Jamestown.
It is a marathon where every kilometre brings a new view — and probably a few moments when you stop to appreciate where on Earth you actually are!
St Helena’s mountainous terrain and varied microclimates mean that, despite its relatively small size, the island offers an astonishing diversity of scenery.
More than just 42.2 kilometres
Of course, completing a marathon is an achievement anywhere. But on St Helena, the experience extends far beyond race day.
The marathon forms part of Adventure Week, giving visitors the opportunity to combine their run with a whole host of extraordinary experiences. Depending on the programme, these can include hiking, open-water swimming, marine excursions, cultural experiences and the chance to explore the island's unique natural environment.
And if 42.2 kilometres sounds a little too ambitious, there are shorter distances available, including a half marathon, 10km and 5km — making the event accessible to runners with different levels of experience.
Run through history
St Helena isn't simply spectacular; it is steeped in history.
The island is perhaps best known as the place where Napoleon Bonaparte spent the final years of his life, but its story stretches far beyond Napoleon. From its maritime heritage to its unique communities and remarkable natural environment, St Helena offers travellers the opportunity to discover a destination with a character all of its own.
And then there is Jonathan — the island's famous giant tortoise and the world's oldest known living land animal — who calls Plantation House home. The marathon route begins in the grounds of Plantation House, giving runners a rather unusual starting point for a 42.2km adventure!
A destination worth travelling for
Part of the magic of the St Helena Marathon is simply getting there.
St Helena sits in the South Atlantic, far from the traditional tourist trail. Its remote location is precisely what makes the experience so special. This is a destination where you can escape the crowds, reconnect with nature and experience a slower, more authentic pace of life.
The island offers spectacular hiking, pristine marine environments, fascinating wildlife and friendly local people, making it much more than a destination for a single sporting event.
For adventurous travellers, the marathon provides the perfect excuse to discover it all.
Your next bucket-list challenge?
For many runners, the appeal of a marathon is about more than a finishing time. It's about the story you get to tell afterwards. And imagine the story here:
You travelled to one of the world's most remote inhabited islands, ran 42.2 kilometres through volcanic landscapes and lush highlands, crossed the finish line in historic Jamestown — and then spent the rest of your trip exploring St Helena.
That's not just another marathon. That's an adventure. So, if you're looking for a running challenge that takes you well beyond the ordinary, perhaps it's time to lace up your trainers, leave the crowds behind and head south into the Atlantic.
For more information and to register for the marathon, visit: https://sthelenatourism.com/marathon
