By Tichaona Kurewa
The curtain has come down at the 2022 edition of the Victoria Falls Marathon with winners and tourism players excited about the event which has put the resort town on the international limelight.
The first physical marathon post COVID-19 restrictions attracted more than 3 000 participants from across the globe.
The half marathon was won by Moses Tarakinyu in the male category and Caroline Mhandu in the female category.
Kelvin Pangiso won the full marathon in the male category, while Monica Kativhu claimed pole position in the female section.
The top prize in female wheelchair category went to Stella Jongwe, with Samson Muroyiwa scooping the coveted prize in the male category.
For tourism stakeholders, the marathon lived up to its billing with hotel occupancies and activity bookings having gone up this weekend.
“We have seen this weekend occupancy significantly picking up where most hotels are way above fifty percent occupancy which is fantastic and phenomenal. We do hope that we get more and more events taking place within our destination that allows more and more people to come through and then we can be ready for hosting such events and create business opportunities for all the businesses in Victoria Falls,”” said Mr Anald Musonza, representative of the Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe Tourism Authority Chief Executive, Mrs Winnie Muchanyuka noted, “What we see here is exciting. The crowds are a clear testimony that the tourism sector is on the recovery path. More events of this nature will go a long way in the revival of the sector.”
The marathon was graced by participants from as far as Israel, Kenya, South Africa, Brazil and Seychelles.
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