Marathon Dreams: Royal Arnold Mabika Prepares for Berlin in Beautiful Zimbabwe

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Royal Arnold Mabika

Recently, I had the chance to talk with Royal Arnold Mabika, a talented marathon runner who has traveled from Zimbabwe to Dubai and back again. Royal is in Zimbabwe to train for the upcoming BMW Berlin Marathon, and his experiences overseas have shaped his goals and dreams for the future.

Royal decided to return to Zimbabwe because he wanted better training conditions. The heat in the Middle East made it hard for him to prepare properly for races. “Honde Valley was the perfect place for me to come back to,” he shared. This region offers him the cool temperatures and serene environment he needs for marathon training.

Honde Valley is special to Royal for many reasons. It has beautiful, quiet landscapes and a good altitude, which helps him build strength as a runner. He enjoys long runs without being distracted by traffic or crowds. “I can run deep into the Eastern Highlands and not meet a single person,” he said, highlighting how peaceful it is there.

Bungee Jumping in Honde Valley

 

Royal is not just focused on his training; he also wants to promote Honde Valley as a great place for runners from around the world to visit. He believes tourists, especially from the Middle East, would love to experience the valley's natural beauty and local culture. Royal envisions setting up running tours that allow people to explore the area while enjoying outdoor activities.

Aberfoyle Lodge, Honde Valley, Zimbabwe

 

Royal wants the local communities in Honde Valley to benefit from tourism. He is working with local individuals to ensure that visitors have authentic experiences. “We want to create jobs for people here and promote what makes Honde Valley special,” he explained.

As Royal trains for the BMW Berlin Marathon next month, he is also excited about two major events in Zimbabwe: the Great Zimbabwe Marathon in October and the Honde Valley Marathon in November. He aims to bring more attention to these races and attract runners from different countries.

Royal believes that sports tourism can help put Zimbabwe on the map. He envisions a future where people see Zimbabwe as a destination for exciting running events, much like the famous marathons in Berlin or London. “If we promote our races and the beauty of places like Honde Valley, we can bring more people here,” he said.

To young runners in Zimbabwe, Royal advises that being a good athlete is just one part of the picture. “You need to think about how to brand yourself,” he said. He wants aspiring athletes to know that having skills beyond running is important to attract sponsors.

Royal Arnold Mabika’s return to Zimbabwe is not just about training; it’s about sharing the beauty of his homeland with the world. His passion for Honde Valley and his dedication to uplifting local communities show that he cares deeply not just for his own success, but for the future of running in Zimbabwe. As he prepares for the Berlin Marathon, we can look forward to amazing things happening in Zimbabwe, especially during the Great Zimbabwe Marathon in October and the Honde Valley Marathon in November. With Royal’s leadership, the future looks bright for runners in Zimbabwe!

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