When it gets to December, and you’re looking back on your year, will you have something really meaningful to report?  I know I for one don’t remember the names of individual restaurants I’ve visited, nor the details of trips taken…  But this year, I know I’m going to have a good one.  Something so memorable that I’ll be referencing it for months and years to come.

Of course I’m talking about the Sierra Leone Marathon – a race that ticks off so many firsts that I know it’s going to make for the trip of a lifetime.

• My first marathon.
• My first trip to Africa proper.
• My first fundraising campaign to raise a not insignificant amount of money that will make a ginormous difference to the lives of Ebola-affected children in a country that, quite frankly, has been through enough already!

It’s a unique bucket list experience all round.

26.1 miles running along trails and tracks, through villages and jungles, alongside Sierra Leonean locals and international runners like myself, receiving smiles and high-fives from children, tearing through a truly beautiful country, leaving nothing but footprints and sweat (so much sweat…).


It’s a marathon that means something.  A marathon that makes a difference, with all runners united by a common fundraising goal that will allow Street Child to continue their incredible humanitarian effort.


And this year is especially important.  The 2016 marathon is set to be the biggest yet – it’s sticking two-fingers up to Ebola and showing that this country is stronger than ever.

I’m joining forces with a handful of Londoners from the fitness, travel and running scenes – as Race Makers, we’re focused on fundraising for Sierra Leone’s girls in particular, to provide them with vital access to education and to break the cycle of high school drop-out rates, sexual exploitation and unwanted pregnancies.
We’re the London girls running for Sierra Leone’s girls.

And here’s the cool part:  Registration is still open for the Sierra Leone Marathon, and we’d love you to join us!  Use promo code NINAFITTON50 to receive £50 off your registration fee here.

The facts:

• The Sierra Leone Marathon takes place on the 29th May 2016, starting at 6am in Makeni, with options for 5k, 10k, half or full marathon.
• Street Child are offering 3, 5 or 7 day packages that include all your food, accommodation, airport transfers and race entry, from £249.
• Remember to use my code NINAFITTON50 at registration to receive £50 off.
• For the 5 day trip, you’ll spend 2 days visiting Street Child’s rural and urban projects, then it’s rest day, race day and beach day.
• The trip runs over the May Bank Holiday weekend, which means less time off work required!
• Flights currently cost less than £500.

If you are interested in signing up, you can do so here – or email slmarathon@street-child.co.uk for more details.
If you would like to sponsor me, my fundraising page is here.
If you still need a little encouragement, watch this video 🙂

Sierra Leone photos by Mark Gillett.  Race Maker photos by Chris Parkes.  Video by Beej Harris Film.