Victoria Falls Marathon

Our first (and probably last) full marathon was an unbelievable experience. The course was breathtaking and surreal, especially crossing the bridge over the falls and running right through the empty border post that once caused us so much trauma. We chatted with a couple from Kansas City at the start and met some of the fastest Zimbabweans around at the Finish. Very happy that these feet made it! 

So many elephants on the drive from Nata to Kasane.

I was thankful to share the driving with Peggy, who took on the most elephant-dense stretch of road.

Part of Zimbabwe that almost looks like Autumn.

At the falls before the race.

I never dreampt I would see this wonder of the world 3 times in 3 different seasons, from 2 countries. Still spectacular.

Nice to experience some green.

The bridge over the falls was in the first couple kilometers of the race. We arrived late to the start- heard the gun from the taxi, so we were in a bit of a hurry at this point. Still, we stopped to admire the view and almost choked up at the emotion of being a part of something so rare.

Lots of wildlife along the route. Game guards patrolled the area "just in case". One of these guys charged me in town after becoming agitated at Owen and Mara. Luckily, that was before the race, so I was still quick on my feet.

Ka Lesego (fortunately), we mostly saw Vervet monkey and Baboons. 

Blurry, but it really captures the feeling.

No passport required.

High-fiving the Zambian cheering section.

Fond memories of bungee jumping 6 years ago.

At about the 33km mark.

Owen crosses the finish line! Only about 2 hours after first place, but much faster than we had hoped and well before everyone packed up to go home. The Zimbabweans pretty much dominated.

Post-race hammock time.

Many more of these to come for both of us...

A Tour through Unexpected Territory

What better way to explore this part of Botswana than running it? In training for the 2014 Victoria Falls Marathon, we started running northeast along an abandoned highway in the general direction of Gaborone. 3 hours later, we arrived! The terrain that we saw was so varied, so unlike what we normally see, and so inaccessible by car, that we had to share with you a bit of a tour…This may take a couple of posts.

Starting through "the lands" north of our house in Ramotswa. We pass plenty of little huts , where the basadi bagolo (old ladies) have gotten used to our presence and greet us along the way. We know they would always be good for a water break if we needed one.

We pass several "lands" gates that are easily opened and meant to be for communal use. This was the first padlocked gate.

Oh, a piggery. Sure.

Wow. I bet they have cheese in the fridge. They might not be as eager to offer a water break...

Picturesque football.

Maybe the old Lutheran seminary?

Sweet! We have reached a resort.

They don't appear to be open for business. But, the gate is open so...

At least the first gate was open. This one doesn't really mean business.

Um, the road? Are we in "The Walking Dead" now?

There is always another way.

Trying to imagine that this was once a resort/game park. It seems pretty deserted now.

Another gate whose bark was bigger than its bite. We think we are now exiting what was once the resort.

It seems like a lot of security, but why the fence in the road?

Still pretty sure we were not in a game park, but still saw a bunch of impala and some warthogs.

Sweaty selfie

Yet another bridge was out, but we are heartened by the fact that we can see Kgale hill in the background. 

I had just started to get a good feeling about this road. I mean, check out the pavement. It looks like its going somewhere. False. This is the end.

Ah, but this is Botswana where there is no such thing as a dead end. We found a path through the bushes.

And a nice hole in the fence.

After a while, the road became legit again and then there was this.

Our thoughts exactly.

Then the road turned to this.

...And eventually ended. But, you're catching a pattern, right? There's a hole in the fence.

Just as we came out behind the Gaborone dam, we found this great mountain biking trail that looked like it was headed toward town.

We use the word "running" loosely.

Just below Kgale hill.

…And we emerged by the sports fields and an industrial complex behind Game. This one's for you, Melissa, "King Corn, man, King Corn."

Rewarding ourselves with Indian food. The waitress had no idea  our shoes and socks were off airing out under the bench. For her sake, we chose the outdoor seating.