BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI
He trains in worn-out running shoes. He relies on a watch worth just US$3 to track his runs. He has no sponsor, no professional coach and limited access to training facilities.
Yet 29-year-old Abiton Mwembe can complete a half-marathon in just 1 hour and 6 minutes.
The Victoria Falls City Council police officer is the current Binga-Kasambabezi half-marathon record holder, a feat that has placed him among the region’s most promising distance runners.
But his journey began long before the medals and race bibs.
Growing up in rural Binga, Mwembe spent years covering long distances to get to school. What began as a necessity would later become the foundation of an athletics career built on endurance, discipline and determination.
Today, he balances demanding work shifts with early morning training sessions, often running alone and without the support systems available to elite athletes.
Despite these challenges, Mwembe recently competed at the Livingstone Marathon in Zambia, where he raced alongside some of Zimbabwe’s established long-distance runners.
His dream is to one day represent Zimbabwe at international competitions.
However, Mwembe believes many talented athletes from rural communities are being left behind because opportunities and support rarely reach them.
“There is talent in rural areas, but many athletes are not getting the support they need,” he says.
For him, every kilometre is about more than winning races. It is about proving that talent can emerge from the most unlikely places if given a chance.
As he continues chasing national recognition and international competition, Mwembe remains focused on one goal: wearing Zimbabwe’s colours on the world stage.
🎥 Watch the full documentary on the VicFallsLive YouTube channel.
