Travel professionals are invited to join a unique marathon experience at Victoria Falls, aimed at raising significant funds for charitable work in Zambia. The event will take place over a week in July 2025, combining athletic and altruistic pursuits alongside enriching community visits.
- Play It Forward seeks 30 participants to run the marathon while witnessing its impactful projects in Zambia.
- Participants will tailor their trips, visiting community projects, including a football academy where educational and health initiatives are delivered.
- Each runner commits to raising a minimum of £500, contributing to educational and health initiatives in Zambia.
- The scenic marathon route spans between Zimbabwe and Zambia, promising an adventurous experience.
Play It Forward extends an invitation to travel trade professionals and their friends to partake in the Victoria Falls Marathon, an initiative aimed at funding charitable projects in Zambia. Scheduled from 1st to 7th July 2025, the event seeks to recruit 30 participants, combining physical endurance with the opportunity to engage directly with ongoing community projects in the region.
Under the leadership of founder Olly Brendon, participants will have a chance to see Play It Forward’s work, such as its football academy that integrates educational programmes and sexual health lessons held right on the football field. This unique method aims to provide accessible learning through sports, further supported by literacy and digital skills education provided in schools and the community.
Brendon explains, “The best way of getting people engaged with what we do is for them to see it for themselves, so we thought we could combine an iconic marathon with being able to show the projects first-hand.” This reflects the charity’s innovative approach to connecting participants with their mission at a personal level, encouraging tangible involvement and understanding.
Travel itineraries crafted by the tour operator Far and Wild Travel will be adjusted according to the interests of the participants, ensuring a bespoke experience that aligns with their personal preferences. This adaptability allows each runner to engage more deeply with the aspects of the charity’s work that resonate most with them.
In just ten days following the launch of this marathon event, seven to eight participants had already joined the initiative. Each participant is expected to gather at least £500, all of which will support the charitable causes managed by Play It Forward. Notably, Brendon himself will participate by running the half-marathon, demonstrating leadership and commitment to the cause.
The marathon route offers a picturesque setting, beginning in the town of Victoria Falls and crossing the majestic Victoria Falls Bridge, which connects Zimbabwe and Zambia. This path, set in what is heralded as the adventure capital of the world, presents attractions such as whitewater rafting and gorge swinging, tempting adventurous spirits further.
The Victoria Falls Marathon represents a harmonious blend of adventure and charity, fostering community support through immersive experiences.
