Victoria Falls Econet Marathon 2025 – What a Day!

by Anna
(Victoria Falls)

Wow - what a weekend it’s been in Victoria Falls! The 2025 Econet Victoria Falls Marathon took place yesterday, and if you weren’t there, trust us, you missed something truly special. The energy was electric, the crowds were buzzing, and over 5,000 runners and spectators from more than 40 countries came together to celebrate what’s now Africa’s most scenic (and some say most exciting!) marathon.

Local Legends Shine Bright
Zimbabwean athletes absolutely owned the day! Blessing Waison stole the show in the men’s full marathon (that’s a whopping 42.2 km), finishing in an impressive 2 hours, 13 minutes and 16 seconds. Right behind him, and we mean right behind, was Olympian Isaac Mpofu, followed closely by Godwin Katakura. That’s a clean sweep for Zimbabwe on the men’s podium!

The cherry on top? The prize money got a serious boost this year thanks to title sponsor Econet Wireless. With the total purse bumped up to US$50,000, Waison bagged US$3,000 for his victory, with Mpofu and Katakura walking away with US$2,000 and US$1,500, respectively. Not bad for a morning’s run!

Fortunate by Name, and by Finish
Over in the women’s marathon, the ever-dominant Fortunate Chidzivo proved once again why she’s such a force to be reckoned with. She breezed across the finish line in 2 hours and 42 minutes, taking top honours ahead of Ethel Pangiso and Phillipa Dube. Another proud moment for Zimbabwean distance running!

Rising Stars in the Half Marathon
The 21km half marathon saw a breakout performance from Wayne Kabondo, who powered through the course in just 1 hour, 3 minutes and 44 seconds. That’s seriously fast. He held off stiff competition, including Kenya’s Isaac Langaat and Zimbabwe’s own Tatenda Hove and Moses Tarakinyu, earning himself a well-deserved US$1,500.

In the women’s 21km race, it was Caroline Mhandu who took the crown with a time of 1 hour, 14 minutes and 50 seconds, just ahead of Miriam Sibanda and Melody Kaseke in what turned out to be a nail-biting finish.

Inspiration All Around
One of the most heartwarming parts of the day was the Specially Abled Races – 18km events full of determination, grit, and pure joy. Hats off to all the participants!

Godknows Hamadziripi took first in the men’s tricycle race.

Samson Muroyiwa dominated the handcycle division.

Among the women, Stella Jongwe and Nyasha Mharakurwa were unbeatable in the handcycle and tricycle categories respectively.

More Than Just a Race
What makes the Victoria Falls Marathon truly special isn’t just the competition, it’s the vibe. With a route that winds through wildlife areas and offers wonderful views of the Zambezi River and Victoria Falls itself (a UNESCO World Heritage Site, no less), this event is as much a visual feast as it is a test of endurance.

And let’s not forget the fun off the track! There was live music, traditional dance, health and wellness expos, and a real sense of celebration in the air. Whether you were running, cheering, or just soaking it all in, there was something for everyone.

See You Next Year?
If you missed it this year, make sure to mark your calendar for 2026. The Econet Victoria Falls Marathon just keeps getting better – and we can’t wait to see what next year brings.