Lemayan Retains Lewa Crown as Simiyu Stuns on Marathon Debut

Kenya Wildlife Service ranger Samson Lemayan put his name firmly in Lewa Safari Marathon folklore on Saturday, retaining the men's title at the conservancy's 26th edition with a finishing time of 2:27:04. The 32-year-old from Maralal crossed the line ahead of the field at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Meru County, making good on his promise to come back stronger after last year's triumph.

What made the victory even more remarkable was the physical adversity Lemayan had been managing. A nagging injury had kept him largely sidelined throughout the season, and Saturday's race was his first competitive outing of the year. Speaking after his win, he pointed to the forgiving weather conditions on the day and months of disciplined preparation as the twin pillars of his success. "It feels great to retain the title," he said, clearly emotional about what the defence meant to him personally.

The women's race produced arguably the morning's most captivating storyline. Lydia Simiyu, a 29-year-old Trans-Nzoia native who bases her training in Iten, arrived at Lewa as a first-timer and left as champion, clocking 2:50:39. Like Lemayan, she had not been injury-free in the build-up, having battled a leg problem before the race. Her reaction at the finish line said it all — Simiyu admitted she had not expected to win and was visibly surprised by the result. She is already looking ahead, revealing plans to chase international marathon opportunities when the October race calendar opens up.

Both champions carry the badge of Kenya Wildlife Service rangers, a detail that added a particular resonance to a race built around the conservation of Kenya's wildlife heritage. Their victories were celebrated by event officials and sponsors alike, with Safaricom representative Fawzia Ali among those who praised the performances and underscored the marathon's deeper purpose: raising awareness and funds for wildlife conservation while showcasing the country as a world-class tourism destination.

Behind Lemayan in the men's standings, Victor Miano finished second in 2:28:08, with Nehemia Kimaru rounding out the podium in 2:32:38. On the women's side, Lydia Nyansikera came home in 2:56:41 for second place, while Gladys Otero completed the top three with a time of 3:07:40.

The race drew a field of over 1,300 participants representing 33 countries, underscoring the marathon's growing reputation on the global running circuit. Run across the open terrain of one of Kenya's most celebrated wildlife conservancies, the Lewa Safari Marathon remains one of the country's most distinctive sporting events — a race where athletic competition and conservation come together in equal measure.