Running in South Africa, Tanzania and Victoria Falls

South Africa

If any country is synonymous with trails and wide open spaces it is South Africa. The climate and scenery mixed with nature loving, active South Africans is every runners dream. In addition to the many organized races, very well marked hiking trails offer themselves for jaunts on your own.

Trail Running

Join a race, run with a guide or join a local fun run – it’s all possible… Trail Runs cover a full kaleidoscope from easy to extreme, something for everyone. The following are just to name a few of the best races out there. The Table Mountain Challenge in Cape Town offers amazing views of the city with a 23 mile trail winding its way along fynbos-covered slopes, beneath shady forests and past thirst-quenching streams. (September) The Otter Trail Run offers the most varied scenery with the technical terrain constantly changing – from sandy beaches, to cliff edges, to the wild river crossing at Bloukrans. (September)
The Old Fishermans Trail Challenge follows a path believed to have been used by fishermen to cross the mountains that separated the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, in times gone by. There are beaches, river crossings, waterfalls, steps, and stunning views of the harbours in Hout Bay and Kalk Bay. A 13 mile distance with the best Ocean Views. (June) The Golden Gate Challenge offers excellent chances to spot wild game. Eland and Rhebok quench their thirst at rock pools, and in the unexplored ‘Little Serengeti’ are herds of zebra.
Participants cover 43 miles of challenging high altitudes in just over three days, staged out of a single base camp. (October) If you are after an epic, life changing race, enter the Solomons Skyrun, the toughest in South Africa. A 62 mile, self-supporting and self-navigated run, through the Wittenberg mountain range of the Drakensberg, it is only for serious trail runners. (November) For any endurance minded athlete, the Drakensberg Grand Traverse is seen as one of the ultimate tests. A 130 mile trail crosses passes and summits at above 10.000’.
The New Balance IMPI Challenge has you splash around in the mud and covering obstacles. (October)

Road Running

The half marathon is South Africa’s most popular race distance, with over 220 events around the country every year but races offer distances from 5k to marathon. The Old Mutual Two Oceans is the biggest half marathon in the country, with 16 000 entries each year. The most iconic race would be the Cape Point Nature Run taking you to the Cape of Good Hope, the most south-western point of Africa in November. It is an incredible scenic race. Races, fun runs and walks are happening all year, all over the country. No better way than to meet the locals and see the countryside away from tours and tourists.

Victoria Falls Marathon – Zimbabwe

The Victoria Falls Marathon crosses over the Vic Falls Bridge to head briefly into Zambia offering the social runner some of the most spectacular scenery in Africa. The route then continues through the Zambezi National Park with some great views of the river, and ends at the Victoria Falls primary school. Distances are 5k, half and full marathon.(June)

Duathlons, Triathlons, Ultras and Ironman are organized throughout the year and throughout South Africa.