“Why? Oh WHY, did I ever think deciding to run a full 42.4km marathon was a good idea?” I ask myself, as Woody and I head off at sparrows to tackle the long drive from Kariba to Victoria Falls. I mean honestly, I had lived my entire life not running and been perfectly fine? So why did I suddenly decide 9 years ago that this running thing looked like a good idea? Anyway, seeing the sunrise as we drove across the Kariba Dam wall nearly made me forget that I’d already registered and paid up for the Econet Victoria Falls Marathon, but not quite.
We always enjoy our drive through Zambia, via a back road “short cut” we’d been told about a few years ago and have used ever since. It is a pretty drive, with decent roads and only a short section of dirt road. The only thing you have to watch out for is the livestock that wanders uninhibited all over the countryside. We have a pretty spot where we stop off for a picnic lunch, which overlooks a valley inbetween the mountains, it always refreshes us.
We arrived in Victoria Falls safe and sound and enjoyed a quiet evening with friends before heading off to the Kingdom Hotel to collect my entry pack the following morning. What an atmosphere there was at the collection/registration point! To take my mind off the impending race, one of my good friends had very thoughtfully organised for us to go on a Sunset Cruise on the Zambezi River that evening. Nothing better than relaxing on a boat and watching the sunset on the river.
But all too soon, the night had whizzed away and I was standing in the dark at the start line of my very first full marathon. I was SO nervous, but once again the atmosphere was phenomenal. I really can’t explain how it felt to be in amongst this sea of runners from all over the world, all having faced their own personal running journeys just to get there. The music to get us all psyched to run was great and the next minute the countdown had begun and we were off!
The marathon route is brilliant, with the first section taking you across the bridge between Zimbabwe and Zambia just after sunrise, with the mist from the Falls falling on you in previous years, this year it was a bit too dry. From the bridge you run up along the river on Zambezi Drive, past the “Big Tree”, which is a tourist attraction as it is such an iconic baobab tree. You then follow this by running a section through the National Park, where trained game scouts are on stand-by to warn you if there are any wild animals about. It took all my guts and determination to finish, but I had such awesome support, with my best friend’s son running the last 8kms with me, and I did it! So rewarding to “see my name up in lights” at the end, and even better to get my medal!
As a reward for even attempting the marathon, I had planned a week off for my husband and I to go to the Milibizi and Binga areas to unwind and research the lodges there. Neither of us had ever been as an adult, and we were really looking forward to it. When passing through Hwange I suggested having a quick look at the old Baobab Hotel. What a pleasant surprise to see that there had been recent renovations done and it was looking good. The pool area especially looked great, with crystal clear water, and clean ablutions. It made us wish we had longer to stop, but after a cold drink, we were on our way again.
I’ll be adding to this story in a future blog, so keep subscribed!
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