This year’s Econet Victoria Falls Marathon will be made virtual for participants around the world to enjoy, with the chance to win big travel prizes.

With the help of the SportSplits Tracker app, participants will have between 00:00 and 23:59 on December 13 to run their chosen distance.

Entrants can choose between the 7.5km fun run, a 21km two-person relay, a 21.1km half marathon and the 42.2km full marathon.

The app allows runners to virtually follow the original Victoria Falls route, seeing the spray of the Falls and passing trees in the national park on their screens.

This is a great opportunity for those planning on travelling to the live event in July next year. As an incentive for runners to join the live event, participants will receive a ‘virtual goodie bag’ packed with discounts for activities, dining experiences and accommodation in the Victoria Falls area next year.

Runners stand a chance to win incredible lucky-draw prizes including:

• Two nights at Lokuthula Lodge in Victoria Falls, valid for two adults and two children sharing one unit. Entrants in the Fun Run will be eligible for the draw for this prize.
• Two nights at Ilala Lodge in Victoria Falls for two including breakfast will be awarded to the participant who contributes the biggest donation to either or all of the participating charities.
• A two-night stay at Bayete Collection’s Nkosi Guest Lodge in Victoria Falls over the race weekend, plus free entry to the event. To enter the draw for this prize, entrants need to sponsor a Zimbabwean athlete (or many) to enter the virtual marathon.
• The grand prize is an eight-night safari and is open to everyone who enters the virtual marathon, regardless of distance chosen. The safari includes two nights at Victoria Falls Safari Club in Victoria Falls, two nights at the River Club in Zambia, two nights at Serondela Lodge in Namibia and two nights at Chobe Game Lodge in Botswana. Transfers between lodges and dinner on the Bushtracks Express train are also included.