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Victoria Falls Marathon, Zimbabwe
AUGUST
28
2011
Through the
thundering
by Debhie Addison,
photographs by Linda Willemse
and Debbie Addison
mist
The Victoria Falls Marathon has one of the most spectacular backdrops to
any race – the majestic Falls on the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia which
so impressed Victorian explorer David Livingstone that he described
“scenes so lovely that they must have been gazed at by angels in their
flight”, and then promptly re-named the Falls after his Queen.
As the Zambezi River discharges over the Falls a
plume of moisture rises high into the air,
descending over a broad area to form a lush
microclimate, and a huge refreshing “mist” station
for runners. The original name of the Falls, Mosi-oa-
Tunya, means “the smoke that thunders”.
The town of Victoria Falls grew up to service tourist
interest in the Falls, but over the last 10 years
much of that has shifted over the border to
Livingstone in Zambia. The race itself, launched six
years ago when Zimbabwe was in financial turmoil
(the tumbling currency did not help at all), has run
counter to the trend. At first international and
tourist runners were wary of coming but today, with
over 700 runners participating in one or other of
the three distances, it is poised to become one of
the premier races of Africa. The scenery and the
opportunity to see wildlife are big draws.
The town offers a good selection of hotels for
visitors on any budget, and there are varied
activities and places to see including whitewater
rafting, canoeing, bungi jumping and ‘gorge
swings’ from Victoria Falls Bridge, 100m above
river level. Those wanting less strenuous options
can enjoy high tea at the Victoria Falls Hotel, an
helicopter ride or flight over the Falls, and perhaps
an elephant-back safari or an encounter with lions.
The many national parks in the region (Hwange,
Chobe, Zambezi National Park) all offer multi-day
safaris with fantastic game viewing available.
Continued on page 21
Distance Running | 2011 Edition 4 19