2025 MGR Safety &

STAGE BRiefing

Safety and Navigation:

Please expect the unexpected. 

  • We are riding on open roads. Traffic rules apply. 

  • In Kenya, we drive on the left side—be alert to boda bodas (motorbikes), cars, and pedestrians.

  • Watch out for livestock: goats, cows, donkeys, and dogs always have the right of way.

  • Local children are enthusiastic; please avoid high-fiving while riding to ensure everyone’s safety.

  • Wildlife encounters are possible—Use caution, make noise (bell, whistle, shout) especially around blind corners or dense bush.

  • In high wildlife areas we might neutralise the section/stop the race as required. We have a Helicopter and motorbikes to open the route and to ensure rider’s safety. 

  • We use local rangers and wildlife scouts in wildlife areas. 

  • Please note the road can go from a good gravel road to a technical rocky track unexpectedly. Especially on descents, be vigilant at all times.

  • Please expect river crossings (at the bottom of hills/descents) to have washed away and or be rocky crossings. DO NOT expect it to be a smooth crossing where you can carry speed up the other side. 

Navigation:

  • This race is self-navigated. Keep a close eye on your GPS device. Slight deviations (up to 5-10 meters) are normal.

  • For smoother rides, look for single tracks along the road edges or embankments frequently used by pedestrians and boda bodas.

  • Expect varied and challenging surfaces including rocks, unexpected ditches, muddy sections, and bridges that may have holes.

Mechanical and Emergencies:

  • You will be remote at times.

  • Carry necessary mechanical gear and be prepared for basic repairs.

  • Rain and mud can be significant; ensure your bike and gear are prepared.

  • In case of emergencies, local Maasai motorbikes will assist. A sweeper motorbike/vehicle will follow, starting from the water stops onward.

  • Know emergency procedures and

  • Carry a mobile phone with credit (signal is good in most places)

Water Stops and Cut-off Times:

  • Be aware of water table locations and strictly respect cut-off times for your safety and race integrity.

  • Camp Life:

  • Camps will include mechanics,  snack and coffee tables, tents, showers, toilets, fireplaces, and friendly camp crews.

  • Please sanitise your hands regularly to prevent illness. Bring hand sanitizer and probiotics just in case.

Camp Life:

  • Camps will include mechanics,  snack and coffee tables, tents, showers, toilets, fireplaces, and friendly camp crews.

  • Please sanitise your hands regularly to prevent illness. Bring hand sanitizer and probiotics just in case.

Cultural Responsibility:

  • Engage with local Maasai communities respectfully. 

  • Photography is encouraged with mutual consent. Ask before taking, it is the respectful thing to do.

  • Please feel free to buy from local shops and local people. Carry Kenyan shillings, most small shops sell drinking water and coke.

Environmental Responsibility:

  • We follow strict Leave No Trace principles. Please leave the environment as beautiful as you found it. If you Litter you will get a time penalty. 

  • Please make sure that you are leaving all gels and nutrition trash at the feedstations or finish line.

  • Thank you for joining us on this incredible journey. Enjoy your race, embrace the challenge, and cherish every moment in this remarkable part of Kenya!

  • Ride safe, ride strong!

Shake out ride!

Let the stoke begin - 5km - 20km

Start Time: After the race briefing, 4pm.

DON’T GO UNTIL THE MGR RACE TEAM GIVES THE OK. This is a high wildlife area, please stay on the route

Stage 1 – The Dutch Mountains 

Leopard Course -  Distance 129 km with 535m Climbing

Start time: 0830 hrs

Cut off water station 1 at 1200 hrs. If you arrive after, you must take the Zebra course.

Water Table 1 at 42.5 km

Water Table 2 at 115 km

Today’s route is a mixture of gravel roads, jeep double track, and single track. Roads change to tracks fast. There is a 5 km tarmac section from 100km to 105km. Caution. Traffic rules apply (OPEN ROADS). Keep left. The last 10km is more single track, the last 2 km, there is a section that is harder to navigate and off-road/track in places. There is also wildlife in this section. Rangers will be out so if they tell you to STOP, please do. 


Caution: Large Puddle, keep left at 42 km and Large Puddle can’t be avoided at 89 km

First 5-6KM will be a neutral section as we make our way through the conservancy. (timings and distance route could change depending on wildlife – changes, etc will be communicated at the start line please be flexible.)

Zebra Course - Distance 85 km with 417m Climbing

Start time 0830 hrs

Water Table 1 at 42.5 km

Water Table 2 at 70 km

Today’s route is a mixture of gravel roads, jeep double track, and single track. Roads change to tracks fast. The last 10km is more single track, and the last 2 km, there is a section that is harder to navigate and off-road/track in places. There is also wildlife in this section. Rangers will be out, so if they tell you to STOP, please do. 

Caution: Large Puddle, keep left at 42 km 

First 5- 6 km will be a neutral section as we make our way through the conservancy. (timings and distance route could change depending on wildlife – changes, etc will be communicated at the start line please be flexible.)


Stage 2 – The Old Queens Stage Dust and Hills

Leopard Course - Distance 145 km with 1,606m Climbing

Start time 0800 hrs

Cut off water station 2 at 1430 hrs. If you arrive after this time you must take the Zebra course.

 Water Table 1 at 45 km

Water Table 2 at 95 km

Today’s route starts with single track, then into gravel roads. Caution: The gravel roads are open, and there will be traffic. The roads are not the best and are not fast rolling. Look on the sides for single-track foot paths/boda boda paths, ride these. At the top of the climb at KM 105 there is a difficult right turn to see. You will be riding off track, it's only 50m until you reach a single track section. 

The first 31 km is the reverse of what the Leopard did on stage 1. 25 km – 32 km is tarmac, Caution: open roads keep left. 

Caution At km 110. Technical single-track descent. 

Caution At km 131 another difficult navigation section and single track for 6.5km. 

Caution: The final 3 km is a fast down hill gravel road into a rocky river crossing. This is 250m from the finish so take it easy. 50m after river crossing to turn right and into the finish. This is a jeep track. 


Zebra Course - Distance 112 km with 930m Climbing

Start time 0800 hrs

Water Table 1 at 45 km

Water Table 2 at 95 km

Today’s route starts with single track, then into gravel roads. Caution: The gravel roads are open, and there will be traffic. The roads are not the best and are not fast rolling. Look on the sides for single-track foot paths/boda boda paths, ride these.

The first 31 km is the reverse of what the Leopard course does on stage 1. At 25 km – 32 km is tarmac, Caution: open roads keep left. 

Stage 3 – The “New” Queens Stage 

Leopard Course - Distance 177 km with 2,405m Climbing

Start time 0730 hrs

Cut off water station 2 at 1430 hrs. If you arrive after, you must take the Zebra course.

 Feed/Water Table 1 at 61.5 km

Feed/Water Table 2 at 109 km

The Queens Stage. This stage has taken the best of Previous MGR Stage 2, 3 and 4 and put it into one stage. The race takes you into the Loita Hills and the mist forests for the first part, it then takes you onto the Loita plains. The views today (if it's not cloudy) are out of this world. You will see wildlife on the plains. The final climb will test you but you will be rewarded by an amazing view.
Caution: On the descent at 148 km it is rocky and technical. 

Caution: The final 3 km is a fast down hill gravel road into a rocky river crossing. This is 250m from the finish so take it easy. 50m after river crossing to turn right and into the finish. This is a jeep track. 

Zebra Course - Distance 132 km with 1,697m Climbing

Start time 0730 hrs

Water Table 1 at 61.5 km

Water Table 2 at 109 km

The Queens Stage. This stage has taken the best of Previous MGR Stage 2 and 3 and put it into one stage, What the Zebra course used to miss you will now enjoy. The race takes you into the Loita Hills and the mist forests for the first part, it then takes you onto the Loita plains. The views today (if it's not cloudy) are out of this world. You will see wildlife on the plains. 

Caution: The final 3 km is a fast down hill gravel road into a rock river crossing. This is 250m from the finish so take it easy. 50m after river crossing to turn right and into the finish. This is a jeep track. 

Stage 4 – Fast Gravel and the Final Push 

Leopard Course Distance 186 km with 1,727 Climbing

Start time 0730 hrs

Cut off water station 1 at 1130 hrs. If you arrive after, you must take the Zebra course.

Water Table 1 at 55.5 km

Water Table 2 at 140 km

A great day. A big climb to start followed by fast rolling good Kenyan gravel roads. 2 areas of caution. Both are the same, at distances 169km and 180km. Steep river crossings. You will have to dismount. Vehicles and Motorbikes can not cross. They will go around.

Zebra Course - Distance 87 km with 888m Climbing

Start time 0730 hrs

Water Table 1 at 55.5 km

A great day. You will head up onto the northern edge of the Loita hills. The views are stunning. Once down off the hills you will enter the Olollaro Conservancy ride through that. Keep your eyes open for wildlife.