Developed in conjunction with the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe, the Victoria Falls Marathon race is an AIMS (Association of International Marathon and Distance Races) registered event. The marathon race provides a platform for both local and international runners to pit themselves against the best!The marathon race route is varied …
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Developed in conjunction with the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe, the Victoria Falls Marathon race is an AIMS (Association of International Marathon and Distance Races) registered event. The marathon race provides a platform for both local and international runners to pit themselves against the best!The marathon race route is varied in terms of terrain, with some incredible scenery and opportunity to see wildlife along the way. It is well supported by regular water points, all ably managed by the sponsors.
A full 42.2km marathon, 21.1km half marathon, 21km half marathon relay (two runners combining to complete a 21km race) and an approximately 7km fun run are all available. The race starts in the car park by the banks, then crosses over the Vic Falls Bridge, briefly into Zambia, offering the social runner some of the most spectacular scenery in Africa, and ends at a different venue to the start.
Besides the breathtaking landscapes, you will encounter on the marathon race there is plenty more to do and see. Known as the adventure centre of Africa, for good reason, the Victoria Falls has a wealth of activities available! Choose one of the standard travel packages, or tailor-make your own by combining the marathon race with some rafting, canoeing, boat cruising, game viewing, an elephant back safari or even a bungee jump! Safaris in neighbouring Botswana and Zambia are also available through Wild Frontiers the official organiser of the Victoria Falls marathon race. There are daily flights from Johannesburg to the falls, which makes linking from international flights to the region easy.
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Victoria Falls was Awesome
This was a good race, plenty of water stops, it was hilly but fun. The baboons was in the trees just looking , we got to run across the bridge … MORE
This was a good race, plenty of water stops, it was hilly but fun. The baboons was in the trees just looking , we got to run across the bridge that overlooks Victoria Falls.
Great race, great scenic view
Race was great! The terrain changes from paved road to dirt road and dirt with gravel road. I loved the military running in formation and doing cadence. I didn’t see … MORE
Race was great! The terrain changes from paved road to dirt road and dirt with gravel road. I loved the military running in formation and doing cadence. I didn’t see anything to eat after the race. I loved meeting new people from the surrounding cities ie: Zambia, Harare, and Johannesburg.
Gotta run this again!
I enjoyed this race so much and had nost of my running group members for motivation and support. It was a blast, the scenery beautiful and the city so alive … MORE
I enjoyed this race so much and had nost of my running group members for motivation and support. It was a blast, the scenery beautiful and the city so alive with runners from all over the world. I had an amazing time and wore my medal for days. I would love to run this again in 2019 and you should be there too!
What a wonderful run!!!
Such a beautiful run!!!!! I just loved it even though I was injured. I then had the time to enjoy the amazing African bush! The registration was quick and easy … MORE
Such a beautiful run!!!!! I just loved it even though I was injured. I then had the time to enjoy the amazing African bush! The registration was quick and easy and online. The start was fun, well organized!
❤️VF https://vimeo.com/281741763
Please see my attached race report - this is a tips and tricks supplement to the comprehensive race report provided by Mike from 2017. Two older adults and two youngsters … MORE
Please see my attached race report – this is a tips and tricks supplement to the comprehensive race report provided by Mike from 2017.
Two older adults and two youngsters had a great run and a wonderful experience of Victoria Falls.
Vida xo
Where the spectators weigh 5 tons
BOTTOM LINE: Victoria Falls may not be the largest, or the sexiest, or the most hyped marathon in Africa. But unlike many American marathons, it continues to grow each year … MORE
BOTTOM LINE: Victoria Falls may not be the largest, or the sexiest, or the most hyped marathon in Africa. But unlike many American marathons, it continues to grow each year and for good reason. No other race on the planet promises immediate proximity to one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and a potential close encounter of the two-tusked kind. If you’re a Seven Continents hopeful or a traveling runner of any kind, I’d recommend you take a good long look at Vic Falls when planning your African adventure.
Other than the initial out-and-back across the bridge alongside the Falls, you won’t have the benefit of head-turning landscapes. The dusty two-loop course lacks compelling scenery, a fact made more conspicuous by having to run it twice. And even in winter, you should plan for a warm day—you can always be pleasantly surprised if cooler temperatures prevail. This is Africa, after all.
And yes, a disgruntled African elephant (the largest land mammal on the planet) wandered onto the course next to me in mile 15, an encounter that seemed to surprise us both. I’m proud to say I managed to give him clearance and still snap a photo, all without spooking him or soiling myself.
PRODUCTION: The organizers do a first-class job of hosting their third-world marathon. The Kingdom Hotel where we and many other runners stayed is a 3-minute walk from the start line, always a huge advantage. Likewise the outdoor expo held at the Kingdom Hotel was pleasantly small and easily navigated. At the expo we were able to sign up for shuttle service from the finish line back to the hotel on race day. And though shuttle service at the finish line at Vic Falls Primary School was a bit disorganized, the brief inconvenience was nothing that a bit of patience didn’t resolve.
The course could have used another aid station or two in the closing miles, and maybe a few more buckets of ice in which to store the water sachets. And there weren’t a whole lot of spectators, but then again that’s not really the expectation in a tourist town like Victoria Falls. Besides, I’m pretty sure my ears were still ringing from all the cheering at Comrades, so a low-key but well-supported race was just what this doctor ordered.
The course wasn’t closed to traffic, but on sparsely traveled two-lane roads this was never a concern, aside from the clouds of dust kicked up by passing vehicles. Though seeing discarded water sachets being blown into the underbrush by passing trucks was disheartening, and I hope the organizers and volunteers were able to find and collect them before the wildlife did.
SWAG: First time ever I received a finisher’s tanktop (rather than t-shirt), and an attractive one it is—eye-catching red and blue with the race logo emblazoned on front. And it was cool to see everyone wearing theirs at the finish line festival. I’m not a huge “suns out, guns out” guy with my runner’s physique, but I’m sure I’ll find ample use for it in the SoCal heat. The finisher’s medal is also nice, though small and understated, and depicts three (male?) runners with the Falls in the background. And despite its diminutive size, it’s still the largest of my African medals!
For more details including traveler’s tips for Zimbabwe, check out my race report at https://blisterscrampsheaves.com/2017/09/13/victoria-falls-marathon-race-report/