The morning air in Victoria Falls crackles with an unforgettable energy on race day. On 5 July 2026, thousands of runners from across the globe gathered under the deep, permanent bass of the Mosi-oa-Tunya, standing shoulder to shoulder in a display of unity and Ubuntu as the Econet Victoria Falls Marathon marked its 18th anniversary.
A Start Line Like No Other
The starting siren sent a wave of pure determination across the Victoria Falls Township towards the historic, century-old iron bridge suspended over the Zambezi River. Runners were kissed by the cool mist of the Falls before charging straight into the rugged wilderness of Zambezi National Park, watching the sun break through the spray as the day began. It is a start line unlike any other on the marathon calendar, and it sets the tone for everything that follows.
Serious Athletics Meets Festival Spirit
Along the route, the athletic grit of a Comrades Marathon qualifier collided with a festive carnival atmosphere. Water tables came alive with drumming groups, showers and music, and the town of Victoria Falls turned out in force to cheer every runner home, from the front-runners to the final finishers. Standing out in the crowd, our Wild Horizons team took part in the event wearing branded UNICEF shirts, a visible marker of our shared commitment to child welfare, environmental stewardship and sustainable travel.
Running Responsibly Through a Fragile Landscape
Balancing that high-octane excitement with environmental responsibility matters to us. Our teams worked to keep the fragile ecosystem along the route unblemished, running plastic-free hydration points and strict post-race wilderness cleanups. Thank you to the cleanup crew of Pristine, and to Ele-Collection for recycling the plastic collected along the way. Some wildlife was seen along the route, and the Park’s rangers and the Victoria Falls Anti-Poaching Unit kept a close eye on things throughout the morning.
Beyond the Finish Line: Community Impact
The marathon also gives us the chance to highlight the community initiatives closest to our hearts. In step with UNICEF, we champion projects that include installing solar-powered boreholes, restoring clean water access, and building climate-smart education infrastructure at rural schools including Ndlovu, Mkhosana and Sizinda Secondary. It is a partnership grounded in specific, tangible work, not vague good intentions, and it means every runner who takes to the bridge on race day is also taking a step for the youth of this community.
Thank You to Everyone Who Made It Happen
What an amazing weekend. Thank you for joining us at the 2026 Econet Victoria Falls Marathon, our biggest one yet. To our athletes, from the winners to every final finisher: you are why we do this.
The atmosphere was incredible from the pre-dawn start, watching the sun peek through the mist of the Falls, through to the vibey water tables with drummers, showers and great music, and of course the supporters of Victoria Falls cheering the runners along the entire route.
We are immensely grateful for the support of the entire Victoria Falls community, and to everyone who played a role in putting this event together. As always, we could not do this without our sponsors, with a special thank you to Econet, Eco Sure and Remit Hope for their continued support of the Vic Falls Marathon.
2026 marked the 18th anniversary of the Vic Falls Marathon, an official Comrades Marathon qualifier race. Thank you all and watch this space for updates on the 2027 edition.
