Vic Falls Marathon 18th June 2017
Fawcetts are proud to be a part of the Victoria Falls Marathon once again this year. With ONE MONTH to go until this fantastic event we thought we would send out some fun and interesting facts.
THE VICTORIA FALLS MARATHON
Developed in conjunction with the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe, the Victoria Falls Marathon race is an AIMS (Association of International Marathon and Distance Races) registered event. The marathon race provides a platform for both local and international runners to pit themselves against the best!The marathon race route is varied in terms of terrain, with some incredible scenery and opportunity to see wildlife along the way. It is well supported by regular water points, all ably managed by the sponsors.
A full 42.2km marathon race, 21.2km half marathon run and a 7.5km fun run is available. The marathon race route starts in the car park outside the banks/Ilala Lodge entrance, then crosses over the Vic Falls Bridge, briefly into Zambia offering the social runner some of the most spectacular scenery in Africa, the route continues through the Zambezi National Park with some great views of the river, and ends at the Victoria Falls primary school. The Full Marathon is a ‘double loop’. There are plenty of water points along the way to keep you refreshed, and you may even glimpse wildlife !
Besides the breathtaking landscapes, you will encounter on the marathon race there is plenty more to do and see. Known as the adventure centre of Africa, for good reason, the Victoria Falls has a wealth of activities available! Choose one of the standard travel packages, or tailor-make your own by combining the marathon race with some rafting, canoeing, boat cruising, game viewing, an elephant back safari or even a bungee jump! Safaris in neighboring Botswana and Zambia are also available through Wild Frontiers the official organiser of the Victoria Falls marathon race. Wild Frontiers would be happy to furnish you with details of travel packages in the surrounding region and make all your travel arrangements for you. In addition, there are daily flights from Johannesburg to the falls, which makes linking from international flights to the region easy.
READ MORE on the official site http://www.vicfallsmarathon.com/
Facts on Victoria Falls
This remarkable place is filled with so much history and fascination.
- Victoria Falls also known as “Mosi oa-Tunya” (“the smoke that thunders”) is positioned almost exactly half way along the mighty Zambezi Rivers 2700 km journey from it’s source to the sea.
- Here the river plunges headlong into a 100m vertical chasm spanning the full one-and-a-half kilometre width of the river.
- Creating the biggest curtain of falling water in the world and also one of the seven natural wonders of the world.
- READ MORE on the brilliant and helpful http://www.victoriafalls-guide.net/facts-on-victoria-falls.html
Great Causes
Four charities will be benefiting from this event:
- Painted Dog Conservation,
- Victoria Falls Anti Poaching Unit,
- Victoria Falls Green Fund
- Rose of Charity
A portion of the race entry will be donated directly to them.
Painted Dog Conservation
Painted Dogs, also known as African Wild Dogs, are unique to Africa and they are among this continent’s most endangered species. It is estimated that less than 7,000 remain in the wild. The Painted Dog population in Zimbabwe is one of the last strongholds of the species and we are committed to their conservation.
Painted Dog Conservation is a Zimbabwean Charitable Organisation (PVO 13 / 2005) whose mission is to protect and increase the range and numbers of Painted Dogs, (Lycaon pictus) in Zimbabwe by creating an environment where the dogs can thrive. This environment is as much in the minds of the local people as it is the physical environment of the National Parks Estates and beyond.
To achieve this the critical threats affecting Painted Dogs have been identified and strategies developed to tackle them ranging from anti poaching patrols to extensive education and community development programmes.
Victoria Falls Anti Poaching Unit
The Victoria Falls Anti-Poaching Unit is a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of our local wildlife and natural resources.
Surrounded by the Victoria Falls National Park, the town of Victoria Falls is located in one of the most beautiful environments on earth, with unspoilt expanses of wilderness, abundant wildlife and spectacular settings, drawing tourists from around the world.
However with the beauty of the location comes with some heavy burdens of human and animal conflict. VFAPU tries to ease some of the burdens by protecting the wildlife and habitat from poacher pressure (subsistence and commercial), as well rescue and rehabilitate animals injured by human interference. Additionally, we try to train and find employment for ex-poachers so that they have a sustainable income without doing harm to flora and fauna. Education is also important, and VFAPU and its partners try to reach children at an early age through school and community awareness programs.
Rose of Charity
Rose of Charity began in 2007 when a group of people In Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, who were each individually helping deprived children in the area, came together with the aim to DO SOMETHING AMAZING and make a positive difference in children’s lives.
Victoria Falls Green Fund
Environment Africa is an African rooted not for profit organisation with over 20 years of African experience in responding to the needs of all African people and our environment. They believe that they have to focus on African solutions for the most pressing environment and development challenges, working with conservation and communities in a collaborative, innovative and action orientated way that promotes a sustainable future for Africa.
Environment Africa is a Southern African organization based regionally and represented internationally. They work with all sectors of society throughout Zimbabwe and Southern Africa to protect and manage natural resources and to promote sustainable development, and they are proud to foster partnerships that collaboratively develop and implement African solutions to African challenges.
