Victoria Falls Marathon expected to draw more than 5 000 participants

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THE Econet Victoria Falls Marathon returns on July 6, 2025, bringing with it the adventure of long-distance running amidst the beauty of one of Zimbabwe and the continent’s iconic tourist destinations. Now in its 18th year and set to inject a welcome boost for the local tourism and hospitality sector, the marathon has grown to become a signature event on the continent’s sporting calendar, drawing elite athletes, amateur runners, wellness and fitness enthusiasts, families, and pure adventure-seekers from across the world.

Econet Group Chief Executive Officer, Dr Douglas Mboweni, said preparations were well underway for the marathon, promising a world-class experience for the more than 5 000 participants expected at this year’s event. “The Econet Victoria Falls Marathon has become a very important event in African sport and among wellness enthusiasts. We are excited to once again welcome runners from all walks of life – both elite athletes, chasing records, and families and friends out to enjoy a fun run in one of the world’s most scenic settings,” he said.

Describing the event as more than just a race, Dr Mboweni added that the marathon reflects Econet’s values of promoting wellness, family and community. “This is not just a marathon – it is an experience. Running across the Victoria Falls Bridge, with the mist of the mighty Falls rising all around you, is something breathtaking. It celebrates the spirit of Africa – of resilience and community – and it displays the wonder of God’s creation,” he said.

Running under the inspiring theme ‘Road2Victory – Asambeni Malegends,’ the marathon unites runners of all abilities in a dynamic range of events – from the gruelling 42.2km full marathon and the competitive 21.1km half marathon, to the popular 7.5km family fun run.

Dr Mboweni said Econet’s long-standing support of the marathon reflects its corporate belief in promoting health, fitness and community well-being. “As a proudly Zimbabwean company, we are committed to initiatives that uplift communities and promote tourism in our country. This event places a global spotlight on Zimbabwe and gives international visitors a taste of our warm hospitality, breathtaking scenery, and pristine and natural beauty,” he said.

Ahead of the event, Econet’s Deputy CEO Mr Roy Chimanikire confirmed that key logistics were already being finalised with organisers working around the clock with local authorities, emergency services and tourism and travel players, to ensure everything is in place in good time. “We are working closely with all stakeholders to make sure we deliver an enjoyable, safe and smooth event. We have also deployed new technologies for registration and race tracking, to enhance the overall experience for our participants and spectators alike,” Mr Chimanikire said.

With the marathon weekend widely regarded as one of the busiest weekends on the city’s local calendar, Mr Chimanikire said the event continues to bring tangible benefits to Victoria Falls and its surrounding communities. “Hotels are already fully booked for the event, restaurants will be bustling with activity, and even small businesses — from transport operators to curio sellers — will similarly see a huge upswing in business activity. It is indeed the kind of positive economic impact we are proud to support,” Mr Chimanikire said.

Econet expands 5G network deployment

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ECONET Wireless Zimbabwe (Econet) has deployed 60 fifth-generation (5G) network sites across the country, a move that is set to give the operator a competitive advantage in the telecommunications sector grappling with digital infrastructure gaps. The deployment of these new sites will enable faster data speeds, lower latency, and improved network reliability.

Data and internet services are crucial to the group’s operations, contributing 42 percent of total revenue in the just-ended financial year.

“We successfully completed our core network upgrade in the second half of the financial year. Base station deployment efforts continued with the commissioning of 77 new sites, modernisation of 246 radio access sites, and upgrading of 265 microwave access links,” Econet’s chairman James Myers said in a statement accompanying financials for the year ended February 28, 2025. In addition, the group managed to deploy 10 lightweight, cost-effective base stations designed to provide mobile network coverage in remote, rural areas.

“Crucially, over the past 12 months, Econet undertook a significant reorganisation of its mobile network operator (MNO) and fintech businesses, aimed at driving growth, efficiency and innovation. This strategic transformation has yielded the intended benefits, positioning us for continued success,” said Myers, underlining that they are set to focus on leveraging the strengths of the integrated businesses to deliver enhanced value to stakeholders.

Consequently, MNO recorded a year-on-year growth in data and voice traffic of 36 percent and 23 percent, respectively. “This growth was enabled by our modernised network, our ability to innovate and offer services that address the evolving needs of our customers,” stated Myers.

The group’s earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation margin softened to 47 percent from 48 percent. The improved revenue performance enabled the business to continue to invest in network infrastructure, a catalyst to drive revenue growth and data usage, which is forecast to continue on an upward trajectory in line with global trends.

Myers added that they are looking to adopt artificial intelligence (AI) into their processes to enhance operational efficiencies and drive cost productivity. “Looking ahead, leveraging innovation and deepening AI infusion into our operations to enhance operational and cost efficiencies will position the group to grow, diversify our product and service offering and drive revenue growth whilst protecting our margins,” he stated.

Going forward, the company will continue to make investments in digital transformation, embracing new technologies and actively pursuing strategic opportunities to enhance and complement its product portfolio. “By harnessing the power of AI, we aim to create seamless experiences for our customers across all business segments,” said Myers.