Urban Trail Running -- Harare
Two times this week I was able to get out running in Harare, Zimbabwe. Early Sunday morning I ran from the hotel out and back – just over 10 miles. It was a beautiful, cool morning. There are well worn paths along the streets of Harare. Some streets have sidewalks in various states of disrepair. Where the sidewalks end, there are foot paths through the brick-red soil. You need to watch your step while running in Harare – roots and stones on the foot paths or uneven sidewalks and potholes in the pavement keep you from daydreaming.
It might have been confounded with the exhilaration of running outside on a beautiful morning, but it seemed to me that the people of Harare were uncommonly cordial and personable. Right at the five mile mark, there was a small grocery store. I bought a bottle of water for a dollar. The water was actually $0.65, but the cashier had no coins. He asked if I would like a second bottle, but one was really all I wanted to carry. So many people greeted me on the run.
It was certainly memorable for me – my first 10 mile run in Africa.
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