During this period, a group of Mara resident initiated a weekly running gathering, fostering a strong sense of community among them. As conversations progressed, the idea of expanding beyond mere group runs and creating an event that could unite others in supporting conservation and community initiatives emerged. Simultaneously, a group from Naretoi, envisioned a similar event which would become the UltraMARAthon. Through collaborative efforts, the inaugural event was organised in 2020 in partnership with ForRangers, marking the beginning of an extraordinary venture that continues to flourish.