WMRM
The island of St Helena will host the World’s Most Remote Marathon as a centrepiece of its Adventure Week from 15 - 27th February 2026.
The race course showcases the very best of St Helena, guiding runners along forested lanes, rugged mountainside trails and windswept cliff paths overlooking the ocean. You’ll be taking on a landscape of raw and wild nature whether you choose the full 42.2km, 21.1km, 10km or 5km distances.
THE WORLD'S MOST REMOTE MARATHON
The inaugural World’s Most Remote Marathon will mark the grand finale of St Helena Adventure Week: a celebration of endurance, exploration, and the untamed beauty of one of the planet’s most isolated islands.
This hybrid marathon showcases the very best of St Helena, guiding runners through forested lanes, rugged mountainside trails, and windswept clifftop paths overlooking the South Atlantic.
The full marathon is a formidable challenge, with a total elevation gain of nearly xxx metres; a test of both strength and spirit. But every gruelling step is rewarded by the extraordinary setting: an island so remote that only a handful of people have ever set foot on its volcanic slopes. This is not just a marathon; it’s an adventure few will ever experience.
All routes, 42 km, 21 km and 10 km, begin in the lush gardens of Plantation House, the historic home of the island’s Governor and Jonathan the tortoise, the oldest living animal on Earth.
To ensure runners get the most out of their trip to the South Atlantic Island, the marathon crowns St Helena Adventure Week, a festival that showcases the island’s world-class adventure offering like never before. Runners, families and non-runners alike can join guided post box walks during the festival of walking, open-water swims, diving and snorkelling excursions, whale shark encounters, mountain biking, and sea kayaking — making The World’s Most Remote Marathon the ultimate event for those seeking challenge, discovery, and connection with nature.
THE WORLD'S MOST REMOTE MARATHON
INAUGURAL RACE: Sunday 22 February 2026 DISTANCE: 42.2km
THE ROUTE
Start: The marathon begins outside
Plantation House. Runners encounter
gentle undulations through the
manicured grounds before entering
Plantation Forest.
Model Cottage: Runners follow
narrow, shaded forest roads with
occasional leaf litter and damp
patches. Moderate descents and tight
curves require attention, with visibility
limited beneath the dense canopy.
Guinea Grass: Exiting the forest, the
route enters the Guinea Grass suburb.
Roads are wider and rolling, with
short gradients. Local traffic may be
present, so marshals are positioned
at key junctions. This section allows
runners to settle into a rhythm.
Donkey Plain: The course continues
through Donkey Plain, featuring
moderate inclines that lead toward the
interior highlands. Road surfaces are
generally good. Hydration stations will
be positioned here for early support.
New Ground: After Donkey Plain, the
route passes through New Ground, a
transitional area of gently rolling hills
with open stretches and scattered
residential buildings. This section
bridges the suburb with the island’s
highland terrain, offering runners
expansive views and a preview of the
approaching climb. Wind exposure
can be noticeable, so pacing and
hydration are key.
Ascent past High Knoll: The climb
past High Knoll begins immediately
after New Ground. This is the first
major elevation gain, featuring
sustained gradients on exposed,
sealed roads. Aid stations at the base
and midway up are recommended.
The ascent is challenging but rewards
runners with sweeping views over
Sandy Bay and the surrounding valleys.
Sandy Bay: Following the descent
from High Knoll, runners head towards
Sandy Bay, a lush suburb with short,
rolling hills. Roads are generally wide
but include sharp bends requiring
caution. Marshal presence at key
junctions ensures safe passage.
Green Hill: The course continues
through Green Hill, featuring a mix of
short climbs and descents on narrow
roads. Exposure to wind and sun
increases, and surfaces can be uneven
in places. This section is runnable but
requires pacing awareness.
Levelwood: Entering Levelwood, the
route straightens and gradients become
more manageable. This area provides
a natural recovery zone before the
technical sequences ahead. Roads are
generally sealed and lightly trafficked.
Hutts Gate: From Levelwood, runners
pass through Hutts Gate, where short
steep pitches and technical bends test
endurance. Road widths are narrow in
parts so traffic control will be in place.
Longwood House: From Deadwood,
the course climbs gently onto the
eastern plateau to reach Longwood
House. This section is largely exposed,
with steady gradients and consistent
road surfaces. Aid stations here are
essential before the final descent.
Deadwood: The route maintains
moderate gradients with intermittent
flat sections. Small climbs lead
toward the eastern plateau, requiring
careful pacing. Narrow curves and
limited shoulder space make marshal
positioning critical.
Two Gun Saddle: This peak section
of the run opens up incredible views
of the Heart Shaped Waterfall and
Jamestown Valley, as runners prepare
for the final descent.
Descent through The Briars:
Leaving Longwood, runners descend through The Briars, a mix of narrow lanes, technical bends and shaded gullies. Surfaces remain sealed but can be damp in shaded areas. This
section is challenging and requires careful pace control.
Final descent into Jamestown:
The last stretch descends sharply into Jamestown along the main access road. Tight turns, roadside walls and narrowing lanes make this a technical finish. Marshals and full traffic management will be in place.
Finish:
The marathon concludes beneath The Arches at Jamestown Wharf, an open area where spectators can gather against the dramatic backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean.
THE RACE PACKAGE
An entry into the World’s Most
Remote Marathon is more than just
a bib number for the race.
You can look forward to a curated selection of bonus activities designed to immerse you in the island’s adventurous spirit:
-
test your grit on the Jacob’s Ladder
climb
-
dive into history with the wreck-to-wreck swim
-
explore hidden valleys and peaks on guided hikes,
-
soothe your tired muscles with a
restorative post-race yoga session
This is a once-in-a-lifetime invitation
to discover a hidden world before
the rest of the world finds it.
Entries are limited, so book your spot at
now.
TRAVEL PRACTICALITIES
Fly into St Helena with Airlink. The airline offers twice-weekly flights to the island from Johannesburg, and during the summer season (December–February) there is also a weekly flight from Cape Town.
Accommodation options are
intimate and varied, ranging from
charming small hotels and B&Bs to
self-catering cottages.
To get around and explore the island
at your own pace, rent a car or hire a
taxi as public transport is limited.
For more information, visit
sthelenatourism.com
A WEEK LIKE NO OTHER
Adventure Week, from 15 to 27 February, will offer travellers a curated 4-10 day experience, combining:
• The World’s Most Remote Marathon (42.2km) • A half marathon (21.1km) • 10km and 5km road events
• A children’s race • An open-water swim • Guided diving with whale sharks (seasonally guaranteed)
• Cliff-edge snorkelling and marine exploration • Guided hikes along volcanic ridges and to historical sites
• Cultural experiences
NATURE DESTINATION
St Helena’s deep isolation has created a globally unique environment that’s a true paradise for nature lovers. Its cooler and wetter highlands – with green pastures, plantations and cloud forest – contrast with exposed, dry and sparsely vegetated coastal hills that fall away into miles of deep blue ocean. It holds one-third of the biodiversity of the UK and its territories combined, and is home to more than 500 endemic species. One of these is the wirebird, a land bird that you might glimpse scurrying across open pastures.
The subtropical climate keeps
temperatures pleasant with lows of 15°C and highs of 28°C in the hotter months (January – March). There aren’t four distinct seasons on St Helena.
The island’s weather system keeps things mild year-round, and even misty mornings often give way to bright, sunny afternoons.
For a taste of island heritage, volunteer at a coffee plantation to learn about the rare Green Tipped Bourbon Arabica bean. Introduced from Yemen in 1733, this unique strain has remained disease free and devoid of crossbreeding for nearly 300 years, producing a worldrenowned and exclusive coffee.
MARINE SANCTUARY
The ocean surrounding St Helena is warm, crystal clear and teeming with life. Designated a Category VI Marine Protected Area and a Mission Blue Hope Spot, it’s perfect for divers and snorkelers.
The underwater topography is
as dramatic as the cliffs above: lava formations have created arches, caves and rocky pinnacles and there are BUCKETLIST | St Helena
plenty of wreck sites, some dating back to the 1600s. They serve as vibrant marine sanctuaries that attract a mix of tropical and temperate fish.
You’ll find large schools of
butterflyfish, surgeonfish and
endemics like the island wrasse,
and encounter dolphins, turtles and occasional mobula rays. But the true giants of these waters are the whale sharks, which gather along the shore between January and March. St Helena offers responsible interaction tours that allows you to swim with these magnificent creatures for a respectful, once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
WALK ON THE WILD SIDE
Some of the island’s most spectacular views are only reachable by foot. To access these hidden gems, 24 trails known as Post Box Walks criss-cross the island. Named for the post box at the end of each trail containing a unique stamp to mark your achievement, these walks range from family-friendly strolls to strenuous hikes for true adventure seekers.
Accredited by Green Flag Trails,
the routes offer something for
everyone. Some wind past centuriesold forts and curious masked booby nesting sites, others, like the dramatic Lot’s Wife’s Ponds, end in natural swimming pools and quaint waterfalls.
It is on these beautiful trails that the
island’s biodiversity and heritage are
best explored.
