One week in Muganza, southern Rwanda.
A community project we build together, and a race through the hills to finish choose 10k, 21k or 42k.
June 2027.
1
Community project, built together with ASFA and MAD4Africa
6
Nights in southern Rwanda, living in the community
4
Race distances:
10k, 21k , Marathon, Ultramarathon
"
You've landed here for a reason. We spend one week in one community...this time in Muganza, in southern Rwanda, and we make something incredible happen together. Then, on the last day, we run a marathon through the hills as the victory lap. Eleven years of doing this, and it's still the part I can't wait for. The race was never really the point. What we build together is."
NICK KERSHAW - FouNDER, IMPACT MARATHON SERIES
Why Rwanda, and why this race
Rwanda is the land of a thousand hills, and once you've run them the name makes sense.
We base the week in Muganza, in the country's green, high southern province — a long way from the tourist trail, on site with the people we're there to work alongside.This isn't a race with a charity bolted on. It's a week built around a community project with the ASFA Physiotherapy Centre and MAD4Africa, and the marathon is the celebration at the end of it.
You live together, work together, eat together, and on the final day you run through the hills - your choice of 10k, 21k or 42k, or our new ultramarathon distance.
Rwanda is also one of the safest, most welcoming countries in Africa to travel in, and June sits in the dry season, which makes for good running and cool, clear evenings.
You fly into Kigali, travel south, and for one week the rest of the world goes quiet.It's run by Impact Marathon: 11 years, $2m+ driven into the communities we run through, and the founder on every start line. The finish line was never the point.
11
years of racing
$2m+
raised for communities
3000+
Impact Runners globally
What’s included
A week in rural Rwanda
Living on site at ASFA Centre, sharing work, meals, and miles.
Fundraising together
We help you set a realistic target and actually hit it.
Impact Project
building on what the 2026 cohort started with ASFA and MAD4Africa. The next one's bigger, and it needs you.
A team on the ground
in-country crew with you all week, with Team Impact with on call to support, from sign-up onwards
4 Race distances
10k, 21k, 42k, Ultramarathon – different challenges, one shared start and finish.
1000s of quiet moments
Conversations, hills, stars, and the kind of week that doesn’t fit in a medal.
Meet Nick,
your host
Nick Kershaw is the founder of Impact Marathon. For 11 years he's led every race personally - from Nepal to Jordan to Rwanda - and in that time the series has driven more than $2m into the communities it runs through.
He started it on a slightly awkward conviction: that flying across the world for a medal was a strange thing to do, and that the week could be worth far more than the race. He'll be on the course in Muganza in June 2027, same as every year.
Our Rwandan partners
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FAQ
What is the Rwanda Impact Marathon? It's a week-long Impact Marathon trip in Muganza, southern Rwanda, in June 2027. A small group lives on site, works alongside local partners on a community project, and finishes the week with a race through the hills — 10k, 21k or 42k. It's run by Impact Marathon, which has spent 11 years and driven over $2m into the communities it runs through. The race is the celebration; the project is the point.
When is the Rwanda Impact Marathon 2027? June 2027 — a one-week trip. (Provisional dates 21–27 June 2027; we'll confirm before registration opens.)
Where in Rwanda does it take place? In and around Muganza, in Rwanda's Southern Province, based on site at the ASFA Physiotherapy Centre. You fly into Kigali and travel south. (Confirm exact district + travel time from Kigali.)
Is Rwanda safe for tourists? Rwanda is widely regarded as one of the safest countries in Africa to visit — low crime, politically stable, and Kigali is known for being one of the cleanest capitals on the continent. You'll be with an in-country team the whole week. As with any international trip, check your government's official travel advice before you book.
How fit do I need to be? Do I need marathon experience? No marathon experience needed. There's a 10k and a half marathon as well as the full, so you pick the distance that fits where you're at — and you'll train with a plan we build to your distance. Most people on the start line are not seasoned marathoners.
What distances can I run? 10k, 21k (half marathon) and 42k (full marathon) — one shared start, one shared finish. We're also looking at adding a 50k, which would be an Impact Marathon first.
What charity or project does the event support? We work with the ASFA Physiotherapy Centre and MAD4Africa on a community project in Muganza. The 2026 cohort began the work; 2027 builds on it with a bigger project. Where the money goes is published in our Impact Ledger. Impact Marathon's charitable work runs through the Impact Marathon Foundation (GivingWorks, registered charity no. 1078770).
How much fundraising is required? Everyone fundraises — it's how the project gets built. We help you set a realistic target and give you the page, the templates and the support to hit it. There's no minimum target, nor maximum - but a group target to make the project happen. This usually averages at around £1000 per runner - and makes a massive impact in the community.
What accommodation is included? You live on site at the ASFA Centre. There are a few levels, from bring-your-own-tent up to a room with a private en-suite shared with one other person - you choose when you book.
How much does it cost? From £1,295 per runner, land-only (flights not included). You can spread the cost over 12 months interest-free, pay a deposit and balance later, or pay the full balance up front. And it's 10% off when you sign up as a pair.
Can I bring my partner or a friend? Yes - and you get 10% off when you sign up as a pair. Coming solo is just as welcome; it's a small group and people leave as friends.
What airport do I fly into? Kigali International Airport (KGL), Rwanda's main international gateway, then travel south to Muganza. Flights aren't included, so you book the routing that suits you.
What's the weather like in Rwanda in June? June falls in Rwanda's long dry season — generally warm days and cooler evenings, especially at altitude in the hilly south. Good running conditions. Pack layers for the mornings and evenings.
Can I extend my trip for gorilla trekking or a safari? Yes. Many runners add gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park or a safari in Akagera. Gorilla permits are limited and booked well ahead, so tell us when you join the waitlist and we'll help you arrange it around your dates.
What if my plans change? Transfer your place to someone else, or defer to any Impact Marathon within a year. You're not stuck.
Why is there a waitlist a year out? It's a small group, kept small on purpose. The founding cohort forms now, and the waitlist gets first pick of places before registration opens to anyone else.
Who looks after us while we're there? An in-country team is with you all week, with Nick on the ground from start to finish.