NEW YEAR, NEW RACES: TEAM ELEPHANT
Marathon season will be here before we know it, and we’re thrilled to kick off the year by cheering on our very first 2026 Team Elephant runners across the finish line for several exciting new races around the world, kicking off in the sunshine with the LA marathon this March! Learn more about Team Elephant, discover upcoming races and rides, read inspiring runner stories, and find out how you can get involved below.
Make your miles count by running or riding for Team Elephant: https://wildtomorrow.org/teamelephant
TEAM ELEPHANT: RUNNING AND RIDING FOR WILDLIFE
At Wild Tomorrow, we believe every step we take for wildlife brings us closer to a future where elephants and other threatened species not only survive — they thrive. That’s the spirit behind Team Elephant, our global community of runners and fundraisers who lace up their shoes and break a sweat to make a real difference for wildlife and wild spaces. Our runners and riders commit to raising critical funds that directly help protect wildlife, restore habitats, and safeguard wild places in South Africa for generations to come — including at our Greater Ukuwela Nature Reserve.
The new year brings exciting new race opportunities for Team Elephant. We’re proud to be a brand-new official charity partner for several international races this year, including the Run4Rome Relay Marathon, the Irish Life Dublin Marathon, and the ASICS Los Angeles Marathon.
Check out our Team Elephant runners in action!
NEW RACES FOR 2026
Not quite ready for a full marathon? The Run4Rome Relay Marathon lets you team up with three friends and split the distance, each running a quarter of the race. You’ll wind through the historic streets of Rome before celebrating together with incredible Italian food, fresh bread, and plenty of Team Elephant camaraderie.
If you’re ready to tackle your first full marathon, the Irish Life Dublin Marathon is a favorite for a reason. With its flat, fast course, cool autumn temperatures, and nonstop encouragement from Dubliners lining the streets, it’s often called one of the friendliest marathons in the world. Cross the finish line and celebrate with a well-earned pint of Guinness.
Prefer sunshine and iconic views? The ASICS LA Marathon delivers a classic LA experience, taking runners from Dodger Stadium to Hollywood Boulevard. It’s a perfect option for locals, or anyone craving a warm-weather race, who want to run for wildlife without traveling far from home.
Looking for more options - check out our full calendar of race options on our Team Elephant page, taking you and your sneakers around the world from Sydney to Paris, Cape Town to Berlin!
RIDE FOR WILD TOMORROW
Prefer two wheels over two feet? You can still make a powerful impact for wildlife!
Cycle through New York City like never before in the TD Five Boro Bike Ride, pedaling through all five boroughs with exclusive access to some of the city’s most iconic streets and sights.
For an even bigger adventure, join Team Elephant at L’Étape Tour de France and ride part of the legendary Tour de France route. Now in our second year at this iconic event, L’Étape offers a rare opportunity to combine cycling, travel, and wildlife conservation all into one unforgettable experience.
Team Elephant riding through Central Park in the 2025 TD Five Boro Bike Ride.
Our first ever L’Étape Tour de France Team Elephant rider, Marc.
GET INSPIRED: TEAM ELEPHANT STORIES
A shared love for nature is what fuels our athletes’ decision to run and ride with Team Elephant…and their stories are as powerful as the miles they cover.
Declan, a Team Elephant Sydney Marathon alumnus, previously served as a Peace Corps volunteer in rural Fiji. While running through his village, he witnessed firsthand the visible impacts of climate change — an experience that profoundly shaped his understanding of environmental fragility and the irreplaceable value of biodiversity. Inspired by this experience, Declan proudly ran with Team Elephant to help protect the natural world and the species that depend on it.
Eliana and Sarah, Berlin Marathon alumni, leaned into creativity to reach their fundraising goals. Sarah crocheted hats for friends and family members’ furry companions, while Eliana combined her love of baking with a lemonade stand and bake sale — turning sweet treats into real life support for her favorite animal, the elephant.
Sarah’s dog wearing her crocheted hat which she sold to raise her marathon funds.
Eliana’s lemonade stand and bake sale to raise funds for wildlife.
Oliver sporting the elephant onesie for 42kms in the 2024 Berlin Marathon!
One of the most memorable moments of the 2024 Berlin Marathon came from alumnus Oliver, who ran the entire race in an inflatable elephant costume! He delighted spectators along the course — especially children who cheered him on with shouts of “Dumbo!” and “Elephant!” — giving him an extra boost of energy. The race was especially meaningful, as Berlin was also the site of Oliver’s first marathon in 1994, exactly 30 years earlier. When he’s not running, Oliver continues to go the extra mile for the planet through his work in the solar industry.
GET INVOLVED
Do these Team Elephant stories inspire you to challenge yourself, give back to wildlife and wild places, or take on something new?
To learn more, visit our Team Elephant page below…we’d love to welcome you to the team.
Wild Tomorrow’s Team Elephant plays a vital role in advancing our conservation work. We are deeply grateful to our alumni athletes for their unwavering passion for wildlife and their commitment to protecting wild places through every mile they run or ride.