Where the power of running unites people to make a difference in the places we run.

The Impact Marathon Series returns for another year in Guatemala and it is all set to, once more, be an extraordinary experience. You’ll be treated to one of our most breathtaking locations and a hidden gem of Central America.

Our volunteer work focuses on developing the young leaders who bring this country hope, followed by a simply unreal and ludicrous race that takes you up an active volcano. Blimey!

With a volcanic backdrop, some massive social issues to support and meeting 50 brand new friends for life – this will be an unmissable race for any runner.

As part of our commitment to the United Nations Global Goals, we've chosen the following Goal to support in Guatemala.

Within this goal we have partnered with amazing charities that we are putting our weight behind to really have an impact. During our week together in Guatemala, you'll get the chance to visit the projects, meet the people who run them and understand your impact. 

Once you've signed up for the race - you'll set up your fundraising pages and choose your fundraising goal. On average our runners raise just over £1000 and although we don't set a minimum fundraising target, our Impact Runners know that this money is a key element of creating lasting change in the community. The more we raise, the bigger the impact, of course.

The Impact Marathon dream is to elevate running to be a major contributor to achieving the UN GLOBAL GOALS!

Our 2 Beneficiary Charities for 2020 are... 

SERES: Cultivating young leaders to drive future change in the country. Supporting SERES fulfills a long term vision for the foundation to support the people crazy enough to believe they can change the world. Furthermore, the communities that SERES works in are the ones most deeply impacted by the eruption of Fuego Volcano this June - much of our funds will go directly to supporting these commmunites rebuild their lives.

Caras Alegras: The simple things can have the biggest impact. We all know the value of after-school care, of nutritious lunches. But when you work in a community where the majority of fathers are in prison and the mothers live of less that £2 a day - you see the simple become exponentially powerful.

After five days working and living in our stunning Athletes' Village looking out over the volcanoes of Guatemala – it’s time to run on them. That’s right, we are plotting a tough, beautiful trail running route that will test you and inspire you in equal measure and will take you on a volcanic journey of exploration. It’s not our style to reveal too much about what to expect on the day – that’d spoil the fun. But be assured, we don’t make ‘average’ races…

As always, this is an Impact Marathon, so expect the unexpected!

10km - I 'Finca' That's Enough

This outstanding course winds it's way down into the southern lava field. You'll be heading through small farms (fincas) on dusty and rocky trail until you reach where the lava once flowed. The views of the volcano rising above you, pumping out fumes into the sky will live long in the memory.

You can run it fast, or run it slow - but remember to savour each step and enjoy the journey.

21km - I 'Lava' This Race

This route heads down to the far side of the lava field - you'll spend half your time running on brittle lava rock that will make for hot race but with plenty to distract you. Uninterupted views of the worlds' most active volcanoes (literally, to your left and to your right!) and a challenging course. 

The out and back nature means you have a ton of high fives coming your way but also a tough hill to look forward as you head back for your glorious finish. 

42km - The Beast Of Pacaya

This is a course that lives up to the nickname - it is truly a beast. You start with a positively lovely downhill for 10km that takes you, alongside your 21km brethren, through the lava fields that few ever get to visit. At the turnaround point you may well think you will be done in a mere couple of hours - but this is where the fun begins. You will start working your way up from 1100m of altitude until you reach a point just below the crater of the volcano at 2393m. You will head up the volcano to just below it's active crater. You'll be so close you will hear and feel the rumble any time there is some activity - there is no running experience like this found anywhere else in the world. You'll then be heading back down on a winding descent, complete with a blackened running shirt (and shorts, and shoes...and your entire body) from the omnipresent volcanic ash. Before a final 400m climb and similar descent to finish off the hardest marathon you have ever run....but also the most rewarding.