email: kiarahammond@iwayafrica.com | tel: +263 912 546 126 | skype: kiara.leigh.hammond
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Sunset

THE KARIBA HALF MARATHON WEBSITE

The Kariba Half Marathon was originally created by Kariba Residents and members of the Kariba Running Club, in particular Mike and Janine Biss.

In 2006 Guy and Kiara Hammond in conjunction with Cutty Sark Hotel arranged the inaugural Cutty Sark Half Marathon which was held on Sunday 26 August 2006.  Unfortunately due to crippling fuel shortages and escalating costs, the Half Marathon attracted only a small field of 25 Half Marathon runners and 12 Fun runners.  Not to be deterred the Cutty Sark Half Marathon was once again held over the long weekend in 2007, with 32 Half Marathon runners and 42 Fun Runners - a total of 78 participants, an increase of 105% despite the still critical fuel shortages!!

2008 saw a field of 181 runners and through the kind arrangement of Andy Edmonson we welcomed 9 times Comrades Marathon Winner Bruce Fordyce to the event, adding prestige and professionalism to a race that is hoped to become Zimbabwe's very own 2 Oceans.  The potential of the race as one of the most beautiful and challenging Half Marathon's is clear for all to see and we hope to become one of the "not to be missed" races on the race calendar!

Above left: sun sets over the lake
On 2 December 1959 the last remaining gap in the wall that spanned 600m across the Kariba gorge was filled, damming the Zambezi River and creating Lake Kariba. With a shoreline of over 2,000km's and holding a mass of 160 million tons of water it remains one of the largest man-made lakes in the world.  Kariba is not one of a kind because of its statistical data but rather unique in its beauty, wildlife, birdlife, fishing, landscape, scenery and history.  Kariba town is situated on the Northern Lake shore at Zimbabwe's boorder with Zambia.  Initially inhabited by the Wall builders and workers, Kariba town is now much diversified and is home to local businessmen of the tourism, fishing and other related indiustries.  It is accessible by road from Harare and Lusaka or by domestic air transfer (on Air Zimbabwe when operational) but mostly by private charter plane.