15°55′S
05°43′W

South Atlantic

28 FEB 2027
Sunday

Inaugural Edition

The Inaugural

The World's Most
Remote
Marathon

St Helena Island · South Atlantic Ocean

A run through history across forested lanes, rugged mountainside trails and windswept cliff paths — 1,200 miles from the nearest continent.

Choose your challenge

Full Marathon

R 1,450

The complete island traverse — from Plantation House through the highlands, along cliff paths and down to the finish. The ultimate St Helena challenge.

Start: Plantation House
Full island traverse
GPX available
Finisher medal

Enter →

Half Marathon

R 850

A stunning half-distance route capturing the island's most dramatic terrain — highland cloud forest, volcanic ridgelines and ocean panoramas.

Scenic highland loop
Mountain & ocean views
GPX available
Finisher medal

Enter →

10 Kilometre

R 450

Perfect for those new to the island or racing at altitude. A beautiful course taking in historic landmarks and sweeping Atlantic views.

Historic route
Atlantic ocean views
GPX available
Finisher medal

Enter →

5 Kilometre

R 250

The ideal introduction to racing on St Helena. Accessible for all fitness levels — bring the family and experience this extraordinary island together.

Family-friendly
Accessible terrain
Perfect for all ages
Finisher medal

Enter →

T-shirt included with every entry · Size cutoff 14 January 2027 · Registration via RacePass · Entries strictly limited

Course Maps

The Routes

42km Full Marathon

Full island traverse · Start: Plantation House

42.2

Kilometres

R 1,450

Entry fee

07:00

Start time

28 Feb

Race day

The complete island traverse — from Plantation House gardens through the forested highlands, along dramatic volcanic ridgelines, down windswept cliff paths, and into Jamestown on the ocean edge. The ultimate St Helena challenge.

⬇ Download GPX ⬇ Route PDF Enter →

21km Half Marathon

Scenic highland loop · Start: Plantation House

21.1

Kilometres

R 850

Entry fee

08:15

Start time

28 Feb

Race day

A stunning half-distance route capturing the island's most dramatic terrain — highland cloud forest, volcanic ridgelines and sweeping ocean panoramas. A genuine bucket-list half marathon.

⬇ Download GPX ⬇ Route PDF Enter →

10km Run

Historic route · Start: Plantation House

Kilometres

R 450

Entry fee

08:45

Start time

28 Feb

Race day

Perfect for those new to the island or racing at altitude. A beautiful course taking in historic landmarks linked to Napoleon's exile and sweeping views across the Atlantic Ocean.

⬇ Download GPX ⬇ Route PDF Enter →

Route map for the 5km Fun Run will be published closer to race day.

5km Fun Run

Family-friendly · Accessible terrain

Kilometres

R 250

Entry fee

09:00

Start time

28 Feb

Race day

The ideal introduction to racing on St Helena. Accessible for all fitness levels — bring the family and experience this extraordinary island together. A finisher medal for everyone who crosses the line.

Enter →

About the Race

The most isolated
race on Earth.

St Helena Island sits in the middle of the South Atlantic Ocean — 1,200 miles from the African coast, 1,800 miles from South America. It is one of the most remote inhabited islands in the world, accessible only by air twice a week from Johannesburg.

On Sunday, 28 February 2027, the island will host its inaugural marathon — the grand finale of St Helena Adventure Week. Runners will traverse lush cloud forest, ancient cobblestone paths, dramatic cliff edges, and volcanic ridgelines in a truly unforgettable race through history.

"A run through history across forested lanes, rugged mountainside trails and windswept cliff paths."

1,200mi

from nearest continent

Africa

2×

weekly flights from Johannesburg

Via Airlink

47km²

total island area

Extraordinary density

1815

Napoleon's exile begins

Island of history

The Course

Four terrains.
One island.

The course begins at Plantation House gardens — the Governor's historic residence — and takes runners through the full spectrum of St Helena's extraordinary landscape: from lush forested highlands to rugged volcanic terrain to the island's dramatic Atlantic coastline.

Start Location

Plantation House Gardens

The Governor's historic residence on St Helena Island. Home to Jonathan — a Seychelles giant tortoise believed to be the world's oldest living land animal, born c.1832. All distances start here.

Download GPX Files

Forested Highlands

Begin in the lush cloud forest surrounding Plantation House — the Governor's residence and home to Jonathan, the world's oldest land animal.

Volcanic Ridgelines

Climb through rugged mountainside trails carved into ancient volcanic rock, with sweeping panoramas across the South Atlantic.

Windswept Cliffs

Dramatic cliff paths above the ocean — the wind in your face, turquoise water below, and nothing but open sea for 1,200 miles.

Historic Landmarks

Pass sites linked to Napoleon's exile, the East India Company, and centuries of island history etched into every cobblestone.

The Island

St Helena Island —
end of the world, start of adventure.

⚔️

Napoleon's Isle

After Waterloo, Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled to St Helena in 1815, where he spent his final years. His legacy is woven into every corner of the island.

🐢

Jonathan the Tortoise

Born around 1832, Jonathan has lived at Plantation House for over 140 years and is the world's oldest living land animal. Your race begins in his garden.

🌿

Extraordinary Biodiversity

A UNESCO biodiversity hotspot with endemic species found nowhere else on Earth — from the wirebird to gumwood trees.

Beyond the finish line.

The marathon is the grand finale of St Helena Adventure Week — a full programme of ocean and mountain activities on one of Earth's most extraordinary islands.

Jacob's Ladder

Conquer the 699-step staircase — one of the steepest in the world, rising 182 metres above Jamestown.

Wreck-to-Wreck Swim

An ocean swim between two historic shipwrecks off the island's rugged Atlantic coastline.

Whale Shark Encounters

St Helena's waters host one of the world's most reliable whale shark aggregations — snorkel alongside these gentle giants.

Sea Kayaking

Explore sea caves, cliff formations and volcanic rock arches accessible only by kayak.

Mountain Biking

Ride single-track trails through dramatically varied terrain — from highland forest to coastal cliffs.

Post-Race Yoga

Restore and recover with a guided yoga session included in every race package.

Getting There

The journey is part of
the adventure.

By Air

Airlink — the only gateway

Johannesburg (JNB)

Twice-weekly service via Airlink throughout the year. Flight time approximately 5.5 hours direct to St Helena Airport (HLE).

Cape Town (CPT)

Weekly service available December through February — ideal timing for the February 2027 race window.

Stay

Island Accommodation

Hotels & guesthouses
Bed & breakfast
Self-catering cottages
Historic estate stays

On-Island Transport

Car hire and taxi services are available on-island. St Helena is compact — the island is just 47km² — and most key locations are within a short drive of Jamestown, the capital.

Plan Ahead

With only two flights per week, accommodation books well in advance. Secure your race entry and flights early — entries to this inaugural event are strictly limited and demand is expected to be high.

Booking queries: events@stainthelena.gov.sh · For accommodation options visit sthelenatourism.com · Flights: flyairlink.com

Important Information

Race Policies

🔄 Cancellation

If the race is cancelled for any reason within the control of the organisers, you will be entitled to a free race entry to the marathon in 2028.

🔁 Substitutions

Substitutions are permitted up until 15 January 2027.

❌ Transfers

Transfers are not allowed and entries cannot be carried over, as we cannot guarantee future events.

👕 T-Shirt Orders

Included with every entry. Sizes XXS–XXL (unisex). Cutoff 14 January 2027 — late entries will not receive a shirt.

Organised by RUN Magazine & Electric Ink Events in partnership with St Helena Tourism. All queries: events@stainthelena.gov.sh

Registration Open

Run where the
world ends.

Entries are strictly limited for this inaugural event. Registration is via RacePass — secure your place on the start line before it's too late.

Race Date28 Feb 2027

LocationSt Helena Island

Distances42 · 21 · 10 · 5km

EntriesLimited

The World's Most
Remote
Marathon

Choose your challenge