Discover running events around Victoria Falls and Lake Kariba
Many people welcome the New Year with resolutions – whether to drink less, exercise more, or get out and try something different! Together with several other African nations, Zimbabwe is fast becoming known as a running destination, and is worth considering for your spring break - whether you fancy an action-packed holiday or the novelty of training for an event somewhere new.
A tropical country of mountains and plains, Zimbabwe offers exciting running opportunities, with both long-distance and sprinting events contributing to the quality of life in many areas; a programme called World Wide Scholarships has helped hundreds of talented Zimbabwean athletes gain international acclaim in sports. As well as three all-weather running tracks, the country offers regular running events to get involved with during your stay.
The first event of this year takes place on 29th June in Victoria Falls, a town on the southern bank of the Zambezi River and near the famous waterfall that is widely considered one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Take in the striking surroundings here by running either the 5km fun run, the 21km race or the 42km race – all events are popular and attract a global crowd.
Finishing Vic Falls Marathon
The course is fairly flat, so even if you’re not a runner the 5km should be a piece of cake! The beginning of the race passes over the Victoria Falls Bridge into the neighbouring country of Zambia, where you’ll be treated to spectacular views over the enormous Batoka Gorge before crossing back into Zimbabwe. The race then follows the riverbank of the Zambezi National Park (watch out for elephants and other roaming wildlife!), twists around the town’s famous big baobab tree and finishes up at Victoria Falls Primary School.
The Victoria Falls Marathon is a well-supported event, so you’ll experience a good turnout to watch the race, with a friendly cheer at the finish. If you’re in the area on holiday, be sure to take in the marvellous country surrounding Victoria Falls after you complete your race. Rainforest hikes are the perfect way to experience the region – walk up to the thundering waterfall for some once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunities. If you want to continue an active holiday here, get in touch with Adventure Zone, where activities such as bungee jumping, white water rafting and heart-stopping gorge swings will keep your adrenaline levels topped up.Staying in the area is easy too – we recommend Adventure Lodge for those on a budget, Victoria Falls Safari Lodge for a more secluded ‘out of town’ stay, or the famous Edwardian-style Victoria Falls Hotel if you feel like splurging on something a bit special. This 1904 establishment is known as the ‘grand old lady of the falls’, and delights guests with lavish colonial-style luxury, old world charm, and superb views of the national park and Victoria Falls Bridge.
Running over Victoria Falls Bridge
Another Zimbabwean running event worth visiting takes place on 10th August this year in Kariba. A town further east along the border with Zambia, Kariba lies on the banks of the huge Lake Kariba – the world’s largest artificial lake and a stretch of water known for its stunning sunsets and great fishing. The beautiful scenery at Kariba makes the local marathon a pleasure to attend – although it’s a pretty gruelling run with undulating hills to navigate. Pick either the 10km or 21km run and take in magnificent lakeside views and the local Zimbabwean wildlife including elephants, hippos and the iconic fish eagle.The Kariba Half Marathon began in 2006 and has being growing in popularity ever since; the event has even seen famous runners such as South Africa’s Bruce Fordyce join in the fun. A unique part of the race is the section crossing the dam – if there’s been a fair bit of rainfall recently then you might be lucky enough to experience the gates opening and the pure power of the water rushing into the Zambezi River below. Running over the dam while the gates are open, you can feel the tremor created by the force of the water below.
The Kariba race culminates at Lomagundi Lakeside, a collection of self-catering chalets, camping pitches and a restaurant. Here you can grab a bite to eat or even have a little dance to celebrate your successful run. You can stay at Lomagundi Lakeside for convenience; they also hire out houseboats for the ultimate in privacy and relaxation. Chill out on the water, catch a few fish or join a game-viewing safari nearby. Other accommodation in Kariba includes the luxury Changa Safari Camp, the perfect place to spot local wildlife, or Bumi Hills Safari Lodge, where an unforgettable African experience is guaranteed!
Tackling a hill
So, there are just a couple of the many half-marathons and marathons Zimbabwe has to offer. It’s easy to see that there is plenty of scope to include a running event in your regular holiday. You can stay at a safari lodge and take in the wildlife, or splash out in a luxury residence and pamper yourself after all the sweat and struggle of the race. Keen adrenaline junkies can follow up a marathon with a bungee jump or zip wire, while those not so interested in running can simply turn up and join the crowds in supporting the athletes. Why not make your holiday a little more active this year?
A super attendee
