Lace Up. Vic Falls Awaits — Our 7-Week Winter Training Programme

Glen Striders Running Club — Harare

Every great running club has a heartbeat. At Glen Striders, that heartbeat is Saturday morning. It's the sound of trainers on tarmac before the sun is fully up, the laughter between heavy breaths, and the quiet pride of finishing a long run with people who pushed you further than you thought you could go.

We are Glen Striders — a community running club based in the Glen View area of Harare, Zimbabwe. We run in all weather, through all seasons, and we welcome runners of every level. Beginners, veterans, fast, slow — if you have a pair of running shoes and the willingness to show up, you belong here.

This winter, we are doing something exciting. We are launching a 7-week training programme building towards the Econet Victoria Falls Marathon on Sunday 5 July 2026 — one of the most spectacular races in Africa. But even if Vic Falls is not on your calendar, this programme is completely open for you to follow. Think of it as Glen Striders' winter fitness block, wrapped around a race goal.

"No pressure on pace, no pressure on distance. Just come as you are and let's build something great together."

The Race — What You're Training For

The Econet Victoria Falls Marathon is one of those races that stays with you long after you cross the finish line. Set in and around the town of Victoria Falls, the course takes runners along the Zambezi Drive, through the edges of the national park, and in sight of one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. It is fast, it is scenic, and it is unforgettable.

42.195K — Full Marathon A challenging but achievable full marathon route winding through Vic Falls town and the national park. Start time 06h30 from Baobab Primary School.

21.0975K — Half Marathon The same iconic scenery, half the distance. A brilliant first big race or a fast-finish goal for experienced runners. Start time 07h00 from Baobab Primary School.

💡 Good news for Glen Striders: The Vic Falls course is largely flat — running through town and along the Zambezi. Our training routes in Harare have much more elevation. That means by race day, your legs will be stronger than the course demands. Train hard on our hills, run fast on their flat. 🦁

Everyone is Welcome — From the Couch to the Finish Line

This programme is not just for the people heading to Vic Falls. It is our club's winter training block — structured, progressive, and designed to bring out the best in every runner, whatever your starting point.

🌱 Just Starting Out — Never run a 5K? That's perfectly fine. Start with the Monday and Tuesday easy runs at your own pace. Every kilometre is a win.

🔥 Building Fitness — Running regularly but want a plan? Follow the full weekly schedule. The Saturday group run is where you'll grow the most.

🏁 Race Ready — Targeting 21K or 42K at Vic Falls? This programme was built for you. Follow every session and you'll arrive at the start line confident.

The most important thing is showing up. Even on the hard mornings — especially on those mornings. The Saturday long group run is the cornerstone of this programme. It is where friendships are built, where fitness is made, and where Glen Striders really comes to life.

The Programme — 7 Weeks. 6 Routes. One Goal.

Our programme runs from Monday 19 May to Sunday 5 July 2026. It follows the Glen Striders weekly structure — run Monday, run Tuesday, rest Wednesday, run Thursday, rest Friday, and come together for the big group run on Saturday. Simple, consistent, effective.

★ Monday 26 May is a special club run — the Blasco 21K on a Monday. It is the only time a 21K+ route appears on a weekday. All other 21K+ distances are reserved for the weekend group runs.

The Routes — Six Routes. All on Strava.

Every run in this programme uses one of six routes created by our own club members and saved publicly on Strava. Know exactly where you're going before you leave the house.

1. Flat 10K — Glen View to Budiriro 10.03 km | ↑41m elevation | Easy difficulty The flattest route in our arsenal. Perfect for Monday easy runs, Tuesday speed sessions, and race week shake-outs. If you want to do intervals or tempo runs, this is the one.

2. Trabablas 10K — Glen Norah Loop 10.01 km | ↑86m elevation | Easy difficulty A familiar neighbourhood loop with a bit more roll to it. Great for Tuesday steady and tempo runs in Weeks 1, 2 and 4.

3. 10 Miler Fidelity — Glen View to Fidelity 16.43 km | ↑136m elevation | Moderate difficulty Our workhorse route. Used for Thursday long runs (shortened to 12–15K) and Saturday group runs in Weeks 1–3. A real confidence builder.

4. 22K Route — Glen Norah to Hopley 22.43 km | ↑159m elevation | Moderate difficulty Weekend-only. Used on Saturday Week 5 for the 42K group. A route that takes you into new territory and prepares you for the longer distances ahead.

5. Blasco 21K — Glen View to Fidelity Loop 21.95 km | ↑180m elevation | Moderate difficulty The half marathon simulation. Used on the special Monday 26 May run and on Saturdays from Week 4 onwards for the 21K group. By the time you do this in Week 4, you'll know you're ready.

6. 35K Training Route — Full Glen View Circuit 35.4 km | ↑244m elevation | Moderate difficulty The crown jewel. Used on Saturday Week 6 by 42K runners only. The biggest training run before taper. Completing this one means you are ready for Vic Falls.

🗺️ All routes are saved publicly on Strava by Humphrey Butau. Search for Glen Striders routes and save them to your profile before the programme begins.

More Than a Running Club — A Family.

Glen Striders was built on something simple: the belief that running is better with other people. Over the years, our Saturday group runs have become a fixture for hundreds of runners in the Glen View area — from complete beginners doing their first 5K to seasoned marathoners chasing personal bests.

We celebrate birthdays on the road. We share post-run ice cream at High Glen. We show up for each other's races, cheer the loudest, and wait at the finish line for the last person to come through. That is who we are.

This winter, as the Harare mornings get crisp and the roads are quiet, is the perfect time to run. The cold makes you faster. The group makes you braver. And the programme gives you a reason to lace up when the bed is warm and the road is dark.

"The Saturday group run is where the magic happens — the friendships, the laughs, the pizzas, and the shared kilometres."

If you have been thinking about joining a running club, or if you used to run and drifted away, this is your invitation. No fitness test. No pace requirement. Just a commitment to show up and give it everything you have.

Glen Striders. We run together. 🦁

Ready to Run?

Join Glen Striders this winter. The programme starts Monday 19 May 2026. All you need is a pair of running shoes and the decision to show up.

Interested in joining Glen Striders? Reach out to us and take your first step.

— Glen Striders Glen Striders Running Club, Glen View, Harare, Zimbabwe https://glenstriders.co.zw