🗓️ Race Date — Sunday, 4 July 2027
📍 Location — Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
🏁 Start & Finish — Baobab Primary School, Victoria Falls
🏃 Distances — Full 42.195km | Half 21.0975km | Team Relay (10.5km × 2) | Specially-Abled 18km | Fun Run ~7.5km
⏱️ Cut-off Time — 6 hours (full marathon)
📋 Registration — Opens March 2027 (not yet open) — vicfalls.topevents.co.za
💰 Entry Fee (2026 reference — 2027 TBC) — International USD $85 | SADC approx. USD $60 | Zimbabwe USD $20
🎽 Comrades Qualifier — Yes, official Comrades Marathon qualifier (full marathon)
🏆 Certification — World Athletics + AIMS registered and measured
🌍 Field Size — 5,000+ runners from 42 countries (2026 edition)
🔢 Edition — 19th anniversary in 2027
🌐 Official Website — vicfallsmarathon.com
There are roughly 900 marathons on the global calendar. None of them begin like this. At 6:15 in the morning, with the temperature hovering around 10 degrees and the sound of the Zambezi roaring somewhere in the darkness below, you cross a century-old iron bridge, peer through the spray into the gorge and realise you are running over Victoria Falls. You have briefly entered Zambia. You are inside a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Somewhere upstream, in the national park you are about to run through, there are elephants.
That is the opening three kilometres of the Econet Victoria Falls Marathon, and it sets the tone for everything that follows. The race draws 5,000 runners from 42 countries and has grown every year since its first edition in 2006. What keeps international runners coming back is not the course time. The elevation is modest, the altitude is around 900 metres above sea level and July conditions in Victoria Falls are genuinely good for running. But the experience, the wildlife, the bridge, the post-race sunset cruise on the Zambezi and the atmosphere of a race hosted by an entire town that loves it — that is what makes this one of Africa’s most distinctive marathon weekends.
The 2027 edition marks the 19th anniversary of the race. It is also an official Comrades Marathon qualifier, which pulls in a strong contingent of South African runners targeting their Comrades entry time. Beyond the Comrades crowd you have international bucket-listers, continental runners using the race as a gateway to a Southern Africa safari and a thriving local field of Zimbabwean distance runners who have dominated the podium in recent years. The race draws all of them, and somehow works for all of them.
If you are planning ahead for 2027, the most important thing to know right now is that 2026 sold out, and travel packages through official partner Wild Frontiers are the most reliable way to guarantee your entry before general registration opens in March 2027. This guide covers everything you need to plan it right: entry fees, course breakdown, race-day pacing strategy, hotel zones and the visa process for international runners.
Race at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Official name | Econet Victoria Falls Marathon |
| Race date | Sunday, 4 July 2027 |
| Edition | 19th anniversary |
| Location | Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe |
| Start and finish | Baobab Primary School, Victoria Falls suburbs |
| Distances | Full 42.195km | Half 21.0975km | Team Relay (10.5km × 2) | Specially-Abled 18km | Fun Run ~7.5km |
| Cut-off time | 6 hours (full marathon) |
| Minimum age | Full marathon 20 years and older | Half marathon 18 years and older | Team Relay 16 years and older | Fun Run 10 years and older unaccompanied |
| Field size | ~5,000 runners (2026 edition, 42 countries) |
| Course format | Road; 2-lap route for full marathon (bridge crossing on Lap 1 only); half marathon is single lap |
| Start altitude | ~900m above sea level |
| Course certification | World Athletics and AIMS registered; measured by World Athletics A-Grade measurer Gavin Wright |
| Comrades qualifier | Yes — official Comrades Marathon qualifier (full marathon) |
| Timing | Electronic chip timing (disposable chips); live results during race via official website |
| Title sponsor | Econet Wireless (co-sponsors: EcoSure and Remit Hope) |
| Organiser | Wild Frontiers Events (Pty) Ltd | info@vicfallsmarathon.com | +27 (0) 11 702 2035 |
| Official website | vicfallsmarathon.com |
Registration — How to Enter the 2027 Victoria Falls Marathon
General entries for 2027 open in March 2027 at vicfalls.topevents.co.za. The 2026 race sold out before its entry deadline, and demand has grown every year. If you are planning from outside Zimbabwe, the most reliable way to secure a spot right now is through a Wild Frontiers travel package, which includes a guaranteed race entry bundled with accommodation, airport transfers and the post-race Marathon Sunset Cruise. Contact the official travel partner at reservations@wildfrontiers.com with your nationality for correct package pricing and available options including Chobe and Hwange safari extensions.
2026 Entry Fees — Reference for 2027 Planning
The table below shows confirmed 2026 fees. Entry fees for 2027 will be published when registration opens in March 2027. Based on recent years, pricing is expected to be in a similar range.
| Runner Category | Full 42km | Half 21km | Specially-Abled 18km | Fun Run ~7.5km |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zimbabwean Citizens / Residents (proof required — EcoCash FC Wallet or online) | USD $20 | USD $20 | USD $20 | USD $15 |
| All other SADC Citizens / Residents (proof required) | USD $60 | Approx. USD $60 | USD $60 | USD $15 |
| International Runners (online payment only) | USD $85 | USD $85 | USD $85 | USD $20 |
| Team Relay — Zimbabwean Citizens / Residents | USD $40 per team | — | ||
Registration alerts: The 2026 race sold out before its official entry deadline. Expect similar or faster sellout for 2027 given the race’s growing international profile. Subscribe to the newsletter at vicfallsmarathon.com to be first notified when entries open.
No refunds are issued. Any distance change, upgrade or downgrade after entry incurs an additional fee — enter the correct event the first time. Entries close at midnight approximately 4 weeks before race day, or when capacity is reached.
Guaranteed entry now: Book a 2027 travel package with Wild Frontiers before March 2027 to lock in your race spot without waiting for general registration.
What Makes the Victoria Falls Marathon Worth Running?
You Run Across the Victoria Falls Bridge into Zambia
The course crosses the Victoria Falls Bridge at around the 3km mark. It is the same iron bridge completed in 1905, spanning the Batoka Gorge with the Zambezi thundering 111 metres below. The bridge connects Zimbabwe and Zambia, and for a few minutes during the race you are technically in a different country. The turnaround is just before the Zambian Immigration post, and on the way back you have the mist, the roar and the view simultaneously. No other marathon in the world crosses an active international border quite like this. If you run one African race in your lifetime, this is the one with the moment you will describe to people for years.
Wildlife on the Course — This Is Not a Metaphor
From around km 5 to km 13, the route runs along Zambezi Drive and into the approach to Zambezi National Park. National Parks armed rangers and Vic Falls Anti-Poaching Unit volunteers are deployed along this section specifically because elephants and other game use the same roads and riverbanks. Sightings are not guaranteed but they are not uncommon either. The Big Tree, a massive baobab standing near the 8km mark, is one of the most distinctive landmarks on any marathon course in the world. Running past it in the early morning light with the Zambezi river below is the kind of experience that makes runners hard to talk to at future dinner parties.
It Counts for Comrades
The Econet Victoria Falls Full Marathon is an official Comrades Marathon qualifier race. If you need a sub-5-hour qualifier for Comrades, this course gives you that opportunity with one of the most scenic backdrops in Africa. The July timing, modest elevation and low humidity work in your favour. South African runners already make up a significant share of the international field, and the pre-race and post-race energy reflects it. If you are still chasing your Comrades qualifier and want to combine it with a proper trip, this race makes the argument better than most alternatives on the calendar.
July Is the Perfect Month to Race in Southern Africa
The race sits squarely in the middle of Zimbabwe’s dry, cool winter season. July mornings in Victoria Falls start cold, around 10 degrees at the 06:15 gun, but humidity sits at 40 to 45 percent and there is effectively zero chance of rain. By the time most recreational runners finish, temperatures have climbed to around 22 to 25 degrees under clear skies. Compare that to October, when Victoria Falls bakes at 35 to 40 degrees, and the July race window looks very deliberate. It is about as good as running conditions get for this part of the continent.
The Race Is Just the Beginning
The official travel partner Wild Frontiers runs a post-race Marathon Sunset Cruise on the Zambezi on Sunday evening, included in race travel packages, giving runners a genuinely relaxed way to decompress after race day. Beyond that, the race weekend connects naturally with Hwange National Park safaris, Chobe National Park day trips into Botswana, white water rafting, bungee jumping off the bridge and sunset cruises. Many international runners turn it into a 5 to 7 day trip. The race is the reason to come. The destination is the reason to stay longer than you planned.
An Atmosphere Unlike Anything Else on the Circuit
Victoria Falls is a town of around 35,000 people and it turns out for this race like it is the only thing happening in July. Marimba bands play at water points. Drumming crews line the later kilometres of the course. Local volunteers run the water stations with an enthusiasm that elite race directors would pay real money to replicate. The finish line at Baobab Primary School brings food stalls, live music and a party that starts when the first runner crosses and does not end until the last one does. The race organisation is not World Marathon Majors standard in terms of logistics, but the warmth and community investment in this event is as genuine as it gets anywhere in road running.
The Course — Kilometre by Kilometre
Victoria Falls Marathon — Full Course at a Glance
- Total distance: 42.195km
- Format: 2 laps (bridge crossing on Lap 1 only; both laps follow the same roads and turns)
- Terrain: Tarmac roads throughout; gravel-mix surface through Victoria Falls Safari Lodge property (~km 15 and ~km 32.7)
- Elevation: Mostly flat; gentle undulations at the Safari Lodge and Reynard Road sections; start altitude ~900m above sea level
- Men’s course record: Blessing Waison (Zimbabwe) — 2:13:16 (2025)
- Course certification: World Athletics and AIMS registered; measured by A-Grade measurer Gavin Wright
- Water points: Multiple across the full route; some water only, some with Coke and water, some with food and salt
- Safety: Sweep vehicle follows last runners; first aid ambulance on route; National Parks armed rangers on wildlife sections; marshals at every intersection
- Traffic: Roads not fully closed to vehicles but sparsely travelled in the early morning; marshals manage all intersections
- Start times: Full marathon 06:15 | Team Relay 06:45 | Specially-Abled 18km 06:55 | Half marathon 07:15 | Fun Run 07:45
Km 0-3: Baobab School into the Suburbs
The race starts in near-darkness at Baobab Primary School in the residential suburbs of Victoria Falls. The opening kilometres wind through suburb roads with marshals at every corner and clear signage from the gun. If you start anywhere behind the front third of the field, expect the opening pace to be slow and very packed. There will be groups of runners singing and moving together — it is genuinely atmospheric and worth treating as a warmup rather than fighting through. The roads open progressively as the route heads toward the main road leading down to the Zimbabwe-Zambia border crossing.
Km 3-5: The Victoria Falls Bridge
The bridge appears at the end of a straightening road: 198 metres of iron arching over the Batoka Gorge, the sound of the falls rising from 111 metres below. It is narrower than the approach roads and carries runners in both directions, which means everyone slows here. Some stop for photos. The surface can be slightly damp from the falls spray. None of this matters for race time because the natural slowdown is a gift: if you have gone out too fast in the first three kilometres, the bridge resets your pace for free.
The turnaround is just before Zambian Immigration. You cross back into Zimbabwe, and for about 30 seconds you have the falls, the gorge and the mist at once. Then the route turns right up Zambezi Drive and the race proper begins.
Km 5-12.5: Zambezi Drive and the National Park Approach
This is the most deceptively dangerous stretch of the course, not physically but for your race execution. Zambezi Drive runs parallel to the Zambezi River with open views across the water, and the atmosphere here in the early morning is extraordinary. Marimba bands are playing at the water points. Armed National Parks rangers are visible in the bush. The Big Tree, a massive baobab at around the 8km mark, is one of the truly great landmarks in road running. The crowd noise peaks here. You feel remarkable.
This is precisely the problem. Most recreational runners run these kilometres 20 to 30 seconds per km faster than their goal pace because everything about the environment says run hard. They pay for it at km 32. From Zambezi Drive the route joins Park Way and turns right toward the National Park gate, with a turnaround point just before the gate at approximately the 12.5km mark.
Km 12.5-20: Safari Lodge, Reynard Road and the Kazungula Turn
After the National Park turnaround, runners return along Park Way and turn right into the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge property at around the 15km mark. This is where the surface changes. The lodge grounds use a softer gravel-mix surface rather than tarmac, and the texture catches tired runners off guard. It is easy to roll an ankle here if you are not paying attention, especially on the second pass at km 32.7 when fatigue has set in. Through the lodge and out the other side, the route climbs Baobab Road, turns right on Reynard Road and follows it into Reynard Extension through the BB7 residential suburb before turning right onto Kazungula Road.
The Kazungula Road turnaround for the full marathon is just past the 19km marker. Half marathon runners diverge after the Syringa Road water point at approximately 21.7km and follow a marshalled route to their separate finish.
Km 20-29: Lap 2 Begins
Lap 2 follows the same route back through the national park approach. The bridge crossing does not happen on the second lap. The route goes straight out toward the park gate again from the km 21.7 water point, with the second turnaround near the park gate at approximately the 29km mark. If you ran Lap 1 sensibly, km 20 to 29 is manageable and the familiar landmarks give you something to measure against. If you ran Lap 1 too fast, the same roads now feel longer, less shaded and considerably harder than memory suggests.
Km 29-38.8: The Kazungula Road Again
This is where the race decides you. After the second Safari Lodge pass at around 32.7km, the route goes back up Baobab Road, right on Reynard, through BB7 suburb and onto Kazungula Road for the final out-and-back. The turnaround on this second Kazungula stretch is just after the 36km marker. The section from km 29 to km 38 is where most recreational runners come apart. The sun is fully up. The residential suburban road has less tree cover than the Zambezi Drive section. The crowds are thinner than the first lap. The next water point always feels further than it is. Water Point 9 at approximately 38.8km is the single most important milestone on the full marathon course. Reaching it on target is what the first 38 kilometres of pacing discipline is for.
Km 38.8-42.2: Home Through the Suburbs
From the km 38.8 water point at Syringa Road, the route takes several turns through residential streets before exiting onto Courtney Selous and making a final right to the Baobab Primary School finish. The multiple turns in this stretch can disorient runners who are deep in the hurt box, but the marshals and signage are consistent throughout. Trust them and keep moving. The finish line atmosphere at Baobab School, with live bands, food and a crowd that has been cheering for hours, is worth arriving at regardless of what the clock says.
Race Strategy: How to Run Victoria Falls Without Blowing Up on the Kazungula Road
Start cold and stay covered until you are not. The 06:15 gun goes off in genuine cold, around 8 to 11 degrees with a light breeze. Wear a cheap throwaway layer or bin bag over your race kit that you can drop in the first 2km. Do not overdress — the temperature climbs fast and carrying extra layers through the safari lodge gravel section at km 15 is an irritation you do not need.
The bridge is your first free pacing check. You will slow between km 3 and 4.5 whether you want to or not. Use that slowdown as a reset rather than a problem. The runners who panic and try to make up bridge time immediately afterwards on Zambezi Drive are the same runners who hit km 32 in serious trouble. Cross back into Zimbabwe at a controlled pace and let the course open up naturally.
The Big Tree at km 8 is your early warning system. When you reach the massive baobab on Zambezi Drive at around 8km, check your GPS. If your average pace is more than 10 to 15 seconds per km faster than your target race pace, you have already started making the mistake that will end your race on Kazungula Road at km 32. Back off immediately, regardless of how you feel. The Zambezi Drive section is where the Victoria Falls Marathon is lost for most recreational runners, not where it is won.
The Safari Lodge surface change at km 15 (and again at km 32.7) requires your attention. Shorten your stride slightly through the gravel-mix section inside the lodge property. The surface is softer than tarmac and the slight texture change catches tired runners. On the second pass at km 32.7, your legs are no longer in the mood to forgive ankle rolls.
Km 29-36 is the real race. When you hit Kazungula Road for the second time, the race becomes completely honest. The splits you can hold here are your actual fitness, stripped of the adrenaline and scenery that helped in the first half. Target Water Point 9 at the 38.8km mark as your next milestone and work toward it rather than thinking about the finish. If you are on target pace past km 38, you will finish. If not, shorter strides and controlled effort from water point to water point is more useful than any pacing theory.
Trust the marshals in the final suburbs. The turns through BB7 and Syringa Road in the final 4km feel arbitrary when you are exhausted and the sun is overhead. The signage and marshals are consistently positioned at every turn. Do not second-guess the route.
Race Weekend Schedule 2027
The schedule below follows the established 2025 and 2026 event pattern. Start times for the 2027 race are expected to be identical. The official 2027 schedule will be confirmed on vicfallsmarathon.com and by email to registered runners.
| Day | Event | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, 2 July 2027 | Expo and race number collection opens | Afternoon — TBC; check official website |
| Saturday, 3 July 2027 | Race number collection — main day | Full day — TBC |
| Saturday, 3 July 2027 | Pre-race activities and carbo-loading options | Evening |
| Sunday, 4 July 2027 | Full Marathon start | 06:15 |
| Sunday, 4 July 2027 | Team Relay start | 06:45 |
| Sunday, 4 July 2027 | Specially-Abled 18km start | 06:55 |
| Sunday, 4 July 2027 | Half Marathon start | 07:15 |
| Sunday, 4 July 2027 | Fun Run (~7.5km) start | 07:45 |
| Sunday, 4 July 2027 | Finish line festival — live bands, food and entertainment at Baobab School | From approximately 08:30 |
| Sunday, 4 July 2027 | Marathon Sunset Cruise on the Zambezi River | Sundowner (evening) |
Expo and Race Number Collection
Race Number Collection — 2027
Venue: Victoria Falls town (specific location TBC for 2027; confirmed via email and official social channels approximately 4 weeks before race day)
Expected dates: Friday 2 July (afternoon) and Saturday 3 July (full day)
Full hours: TBC — check vicfallsmarathon.com and subscribe to the newsletter for updates
Important collection rules:
- Only athletes are permitted in the race number collection area. Family and friends must wait in the car park.
- If collecting on behalf of a group, you must have proof of entry for every runner before numbers will be issued.
- Race numbers must be collected before race day morning. There is no on-the-day collection at the start.
- Timekeeping and registration is managed by Top Events.
Tog bag / gear check: Available at Baobab Primary School start area on race morning.
Timing chips: Disposable chips are attached to your race number. Live results are uploaded to the official website in real time during the race.
Gold medals: Awarded to the first 10 men and first 10 women to finish in both the 42.195km and 21.0975km categories.
Weather — What to Expect on Race Day in July
| Condition | Pre-Dawn Start (06:15) | Mid-Race (~09:30) | Late Finishers (~11:30 onward) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 8-11°C (46-52°F) | 18-22°C (64-72°F) | 23-26°C (73-79°F) |
| Humidity | ~50% | ~42% | ~35% |
| Rainfall | Effectively zero — July is the driest month of the year in Victoria Falls (0mm average) | ||
| Sky | Clear, stars visible | Full sun, clear | Full sun — UV index very high (7-8) |
| Wind | Light and easterly at 10-15 km/h — unlikely to affect pacing on most of the course | ||
| Altitude effect | ~900m above sea level; modest oxygen deficit for sea-level runners; most noticeable in the final 10km | ||
July is Victoria Falls’ best month for running and it is not close. Zero rain, low humidity and clear skies make the conditions about as favourable as this part of Africa gets. The main variable to manage is the sharp swing from a cold pre-dawn start to a warm midday. At the 06:15 gun a throwaway layer is essential. By km 10 you will not want it. If you are targeting the 5 to 6 hour range for the full marathon, the later kilometres of your race will be in direct sun with temperatures around 25 degrees on exposed sections like Kazungula Road. Sunscreen, a cap and consistent on-course hydration are not optional for runners in that time window. The 900-metre altitude adds a quiet oxygen deficit that does not feel like much in the first half but makes itself known in the last 10km if you have not accounted for it.
Prize Money and Elite Information
The prize structure below is the 2026 confirmed reference. The 2027 prize money will be announced on the official website closer to the event. The total purse has grown significantly in recent years — Econet doubled it in 2025 — making the Victoria Falls Marathon one of the better-paying regional road races in Southern Africa.
| Finish Position | Full Marathon (per gender) | Half Marathon (per gender) | Additional Prize — 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | USD $3,000 | USD $1,500 | Full: iPhone 15 Pro Max + ZTE Router | Half: Samsung A56 + ZTE Router |
| 2nd | USD $2,000 | USD $1,300 | ZTE Router + Samsung A56 / A26 |
| 3rd | USD $1,500 | USD $1,000 | ZTE Router + Samsung A26 / A17 |
| 4th | USD $1,000 | USD $900 | Samsung A17 / A07 |
| 5th | USD $800 | USD $700 | Samsung A07 |
| 6th | USD $600 | USD $600 | Goodie bag |
| 7th | USD $500 | USD $500 | Goodie bag |
| 8th | USD $400 | USD $400 | Goodie bag |
| 9th | USD $300 | USD $300 | Goodie bag |
| 10th | USD $200 | USD $200 | Goodie bag |
| Total per gender | USD $10,300 | USD $7,400 | — |
Prize rules and elite entry: All prize money is taxed under Zimbabwean law before payment. Elite athletes must advise their national federation and liaise with NAAZ (National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe) regarding eligibility. The race operates under World Athletics rules — no personal sponsor logos larger than 10cm × 10cm on any apparel item. Gold medals are awarded to the top 10 finishers (men and women) in both the 42.195km and 21.0975km categories. The Specially-Abled category (hand cycle and wheelchair/tricycle, 18km) carries separate prize money with top 3 per gender receiving USD $1,300 / $900 / $700 each.
Spectator Guide
Victoria Falls is compact enough that a patient spectator can cover two or three course spots in a single race morning. The bridge is the one spot you cannot miss — the combination of runners crossing into Zambia and the falls in the background is the single most dramatic scene in African road running.
| Viewing Spot | Approximate Course Point | What You See |
|---|---|---|
| Baobab Primary School — Start and Finish | Km 0 and Km 42.2 | Pre-race atmosphere and the starting gun; then the finish line festival with live bands, food and a full crowd still cheering at the 6-hour mark |
| Victoria Falls Bridge | Km 3-4.5 | The most iconic spot on any African marathon course; runners crossing into Zambia and returning with the gorge and falls behind them |
| Zambezi Drive — Big Tree area | Km 5-8 | Open river road with Zambezi views; marimba bands at water points; wildlife corridor with rangers present; most festive early section |
| Park Way / National Park Gate turnaround | Km 12.5 (Lap 1) and Km 29 (Lap 2) | Runners turning at the same point twice on the full marathon; requires a vehicle to reach but gives you both laps at one spot |
| Victoria Falls Safari Lodge entrance | Km 15 (Lap 1) and Km 32.7 (Lap 2) | Route passes through the lodge property on both full marathon laps; accessible from the lodge grounds |
| Kazungula Road suburb stretch | Km 19 and Km 36 | Local Victoria Falls residents at their most vocal; this is where recreational runners need encouragement most and the local crowd delivers |
Spectator logistics: Roads are not fully closed to traffic but are sparsely used in the early morning. Marshals manage all intersections throughout the course. Armed National Parks rangers are present on the Zambezi Drive wildlife section — spectators should stay on the road shoulder and not walk into the national park approach area without a ranger escort. The finish line festival at Baobab Primary School is open to all. The official post-race Marathon Sunset Cruise is part of Wild Frontiers travel packages and is a separate ticketed event — contact reservations@wildfrontiers.com for availability.
Where to Stay in Victoria Falls for Race Weekend
Victoria Falls town is small and race weekend accommodation fills months out. The start and finish at Baobab Primary School is 10 to 20 minutes by road from most central hotels. Wild Frontiers travel packages include confirmed accommodation and airport transfers, which removes the planning overhead for first-timers entirely. If you are booking independently, central Victoria Falls gives the best access to the start area, the falls and pre-race activities. The official advice is clear on one point: stay on the Zimbabwe side of the border on the night before the race. The Zambian border post closes early on race morning and runners staying in Livingstone have missed the start gun.
| Property | Category | Location | Notes for Runners |
|---|---|---|---|
| Victoria Falls Hotel | 5-star luxury | Central, adjacent to the falls | Zimbabwe’s most historic hotel (built 1904); premium pricing; the most glamorous post-race option on the Zimbabwe side |
| Ilala Lodge | 4-star boutique | Central Victoria Falls town | Very popular with international runners; well-located, quiet enough for early pre-race sleep and close to everything you need during race weekend |
| Kingdom Hotel | 3-4 star | Central, near main road | Practical and central; within walking distance of town services; good value by Victoria Falls standards |
| Victoria Falls Safari Lodge | 4-star | On the course (~km 15 and ~km 32.7) | The most unusual runner accommodation option in road racing anywhere — the course literally passes through the property twice on the full marathon. Waterhole views and wildlife on the grounds. 10-15 min drive to the start. |
| A’Zambezi River Lodge | 4-star | Zambezi riverside, north of town | Resort feel; excellent post-race recovery setting on the river; transfers to the start in travel packages |
| Palm River Hotel | 5-star | Zambezi riverside | Newer, polished riverfront property; suited to runners wanting high-end comfort with wildlife surroundings and Zambezi views |
| Sprayview Hotel | 3-star | Central Victoria Falls | Best budget option in town; functional and well-located; popular with regional runners and independent travellers |
Booking advice: Book at least 4 to 6 months in advance for July 2027 race weekend. Wild Frontiers travel packages (vicfallsmarathon.com/travel-packages) include confirmed accommodation, airport transfers, guaranteed race entry and the post-race sunset cruise. Options include a 3-night race weekend package and extensions to Chobe National Park or Hwange Classic and Luxury Safari. Email reservations@wildfrontiers.com with your nationality for correct pricing.
International Runners — Visa and Getting to Victoria Falls
| Nationality Group | Visa Status for Zimbabwe | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| SADC member states | Visa-free or simplified entry arrangements | Verify current terms at evisa.gov.zw — arrangements vary by country |
| Most EU countries, US, UK, Canada and Australia | Visa on arrival or eVisa available | Apply online at evisa.gov.zw (recommended; ~2 working days processing) or obtain on arrival at Victoria Falls airport; 30-day tourist visa; USD fee payable online or at entry |
| India | eVisa available | Apply via evisa.gov.zw at least 7 days before travel; connect via Nairobi or Johannesburg to VFA |
| China and most other nationalities | eVisa or visa on arrival available | Apply via evisa.gov.zw or verify on-arrival eligibility at evisa.gov.zw before booking flights |
KAZA UNIVISA: Zimbabwe and Zambia jointly offer the KAZA UNIVISA (USD $50), valid for 30 days, covering entry to both countries. Useful for runners wanting to visit both sides of the falls or add a Zambia safari. Available on arrival at Victoria Falls International Airport and major land border crossings.
Passport requirements: Minimum 6 months validity from your date of entry; at least 2 to 3 blank pages for entry and exit stamps.
Getting to Victoria Falls
By air to Zimbabwe: Victoria Falls International Airport (IATA: VFA) is 20 minutes from town by road. Daily flights operate from Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International (JNB), the main regional hub for connections from Europe, Asia and the Americas. Airlines serving VFA include Air Zimbabwe, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways and South African Airways.
Alternative via Zambia: Livingstone Airport (IATA: LVI) on the Zambian side is served by Proflight Zambia and South African Airways. Livingstone is 20 minutes by road plus a border crossing from Victoria Falls town. The Zambian route works well as part of a multi-country itinerary.
From India: Connect via Nairobi (Kenya Airways) or Johannesburg on any major carrier. Both routes are well served with frequent onward connections to VFA.
On arrival: Wild Frontiers travel packages include airport transfers to your hotel. Independent travellers can use airport taxis, with flat-rate fares standard from the VFA terminal. Most central hotels are 15 to 20 minutes from the airport.
Critical note for race eve: Spend the night before the race on the Zimbabwe side of the border. The Zambian border post closes early on race morning. Runners staying in Livingstone have missed the 06:15 start gun in past editions.
A Short History of the Victoria Falls Marathon
The Econet Victoria Falls Marathon started as an idea pitched by Wild Frontiers in 2005, and nearly everything about its origins reflects the period. Zimbabwe’s economy was in severe difficulty, conventional cash sponsorship was not available and the first race in 2006 ran largely on barter deals: beer, water and flights swapped for services a cash-strapped country could not source any other way. The field was around 300 runners, mostly local, and the event was built on goodwill and the audacity of the concept itself — a marathon starting in an African town, crossing a UNESCO World Heritage Site bridge into a neighbouring country and finishing back where it began.
Zimbabwe’s economic recovery around 2010 gave the race room to grow properly. The format expanded to include the full marathon, half marathon, team relay and fun run that define the race weekend today. International runners began arriving in meaningful numbers, drawn by the bridge crossing, the wildlife and the appeal of running in a part of Africa that most marathons never reach. By the mid-2010s the race was drawing runners from across Southern Africa and increasingly from Europe, Asia and the Americas. The 2020 edition pivoted to a virtual race during COVID travel restrictions, which briefly gave the event a genuinely global footprint before in-person racing resumed.
By 2026, more than 5,000 runners from 42 countries were on the start line and the prize purse had grown to nearly USD $46,000 across all categories after Econet doubled the total in 2025. The 2027 edition marks 19 years of a race that started with a barter economy and an iron bridge and has become the most distinctive destination marathon on the African continent. Wild Frontiers, the founding organisation, still runs it today. That continuity of ownership and vision is visible in how the race feels: community-built rather than corporate-built and deeply connected to the town that hosts it every July.
FatMarathoner Verdict
The Victoria Falls Marathon will not give you your fastest time. The 900-metre altitude, the two-lap format and the second-half Kazungula Road stretch see to that. If you are chasing a personal best, Berlin or Rotterdam will serve you better.
But that misses the point of this race entirely. The bridge crossing at km 3, inside a UNESCO World Heritage Site, briefly into Zambia, with the gorge and the mist below — there is nothing else like it on the global running calendar. The possibility of running past an elephant at km 8 is not marketing copy. It happens. The local crowd energy, the marimba bands at water points, the drumming on the Kazungula suburbs stretch and the way Victoria Falls as a town shows up for this event every July makes for a race weekend that stays with you in a way that a faster and slicker race does not.
For Comrades qualifiers who want a race that doubles as a Southern Africa adventure, this is the obvious choice. For runners ticking continents, it is Africa’s most complete race experience. For anyone whose running is about more than the clock, get to Victoria Falls in July. Plan conservatively for the second lap. Respect the Kazungula Road. Finish at Baobab Primary School knowing you have done something genuinely unusual — then get on the Zambezi sunset cruise with a cold drink and stop thinking about your splits for at least a few hours.
Best for: Comrades qualifier runners, bucket-list marathoners, adventure runners combining with a Southern Africa safari and anyone after one of the most memorable race weekends on earth.
Honest trade-off: Not a flat PB course. The second lap is a genuine psychological challenge. Getting to Victoria Falls is not cheap for most international runners.
Bottom line: One of the great race experiences in the world. Run it at least once.