Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve, Victoria Falls Reporter
HE didn’t win the race. He won the crowd.
British Paralympic legend Richard Whitehead left an unforgettable impression at this year’s Econet Victoria Falls Marathon, not just with his blistering run, but with his powerful message of resilience, inclusion and possibility.
The 48-year-old double amputee and two-time Paralympic gold medallist completed the full 42,2km marathon, electrifying the thousands of participants and spectators with his sheer willpower and advocacy for inclusive sport.
“My real passion is the marathon, and I’ve done 92 of them so far. This year alone, I’m running 20 marathons all over the world. I’m really passionate about sharing the spirit of the marathon,” Whitehead told Zimpapers after the race.
More than 4 000 runners from around the world took part in the marathon, but Whitehead’s appearance, his first in Zimbabwe, was a defining moment.
“The reason why it’s really important to come to Africa and Victoria Falls is to share the importance of inclusive sport,” he said.
Whitehead, born without legs, has long been a global ambassador for disability inclusion through sport. He’s run some of the toughest races on the planet, from the Kilimanjaro Marathon to Comrades and the Two Oceans. Yet even by his high standards, he called the Victoria Falls experience “uniquely empowering.”
“This event is very unique and very empowering. What’s really important is that the event continues to grow, but also that the message gets out there to a wider audience: running is about inclusivity, equality and diversity,” he said.
Whitehead praised the organisers for creating a platform that champions values that many larger global marathons tend to overlook.
“There are a lot bigger races in the world that aren’t doing what you’re doing here. That’s what’s really important. I can go home and spread the message that running all over the world is important, and this is a place where that message is alive,” he said.
His words rang true as he stood shoulder to shoulder with winners across categories, men, women and fellow athletes with disabilities. It was a moment that captured the very essence of representation and visibility.
“Young boys and girls in the crowd will know that it’s possible. That’s why I’m doing what I’m doing, to show everybody that whether you have a disability or not, anything is possible in life,” he said.
Whitehead also urged international runners to broaden their horizons and experience marathons beyond the world’s major cities.
“Don’t just stick to those big world marathon majors with 40, 50, 60 thousand people. Come to events like these and experience what marathon running is really about. The hospitality in Victoria Falls and Zimbabwe is incredible,” he said.
For Whitehead, completing the race was never the goal. Changing lives was.
“It’s not about coming first or getting a prize. It’s about experiencing marathon running. It’s fantastic to see the passion people have for sport. The power of sport motivates people to achieve amazing things,” he said.
He reflected on his childhood inspiration, Canadian amputee and cancer survivor Terry Fox, whose run across Canada sparked global belief in what was possible.
“Hopefully, some of the young boys and girls watching today will be inspired by the athletes who won their categories. They might not see the winner in themselves yet, but they might see little qualities they can take away and use in their own lives,” he said.
Whitehead also challenged society to change how it sees disability.
“Everybody in society will be affected by disability at one point in their lives. We’ll all face a debilitating time, or we’ll know someone who does. It’s about upskilling yourself on the importance of inclusion,” he said.
As the sun dipped behind the mist of the mighty Victoria Falls, Richard Whitehead’s run became more than a feat of endurance. It became a lesson in humanity, a reminder that the longest marathons are run not on roads, but in the hearts and minds of those watching. — @nyeve14.
