HerMiles, more than just a race

CHENGETAI MURIMWA

 

Some participants ran.

 

Others jogged.

 

Many walked.

 

What mattered was showing up.

 

On Sunday morning, nearly 2,000 women converged at Borrowdale Racecourse for the inaugural HerMiles race, turning the venue into a vibrant sea of pink, purpose and possibility.

 

For some, the event was about fitness. For others, it was about sisterhood, wellness and community. But for many women, HerMiles became something far more profound, a deeply personal journey of reflection, healing and self-discovery.

 

There was the side everyone could see, running shoes pounding the track, cheering crowds, music, dancing and finish-line celebrations.

 

Then there was the side no one could photograph.

 

The tears shed quietly during a run. The fears overcome at the starting line. The gratitude carried over every kilometre. The painful memories left behind and the hope embraced with every step forward.

 

For one participant, the race became an emotional reckoning somewhere around the 7km mark.

 

“At some point when I was 7km, my eyes welled up with tears. Tears that I realised and they rolled down my cheeks. I actually sobbed for a moment mid-run,” she said.

 

The moment caught her completely by surprise.

 

As she continued moving forward, she found herself reflecting on the hardships she had endured, the losses she had experienced and the resilience that had carried her through.

 

“These tears symbolised me realising all the pain I have seen and felt in my life, and taking in the hope and promise of new beautiful moments that shall be written now and in the future,” she said.

 

“This is the side of running many don’t talk about, but it’s exactly what makes every single run worth it. I shall run a marathon next year.”

 

Her story resonated with many women who discovered that the race was about far more than physical endurance.

 

For another participant, HerMiles represented a personal breakthrough.

 

For years, she had admired runners from a distance but never believed she belonged among them.

 

“I have been nervous to join the running space, a mixture of fear and doubt honestly. The fear of just starting,” she said.

 

Crossing the start line became an act of courage.

 

“(It) was not just a run, it was a reminder that I can do hard things. I am not limited to what I know and I am worthy and deserving of everything I have brought to the table and more.”

 

HerMiles provided something many women rarely find in competitive environments, a space free from intimidation.

 

There were no expectations to be the fastest or strongest.

 

“It was a good race. Different kinds of women from different age groups came together for one cause, which is running,” said another participant.

 

“Some were jogging, some were walking. It wasn’t a strict race, and I think that’s what made so many women join because it made everyone comfortable in their own space.”

 

For another runner, every kilometre carried a deeper meaning.

 

Her race was dedicated to the people who had shaped her life.

 

“Mom and dad, I am forever in debt for everything you have done for me. I ran 15km with my legs you helped strengthen. My miles are for my family,” she said.

 

Across the racecourse, stories like these unfolded quietly.

 

Women who had never met before encouraged each other through difficult moments. Strangers became friends. Shared experiences created instant connections.

 

Many participants described HerMiles as a rare space intentionally designed for women, a place where they could feel safe, supported and unapologetically themselves.

 

“It was a beautiful space where people could really be themselves,” said another runner.

 

“Women could dress comfortably, move freely and just enjoy the experience without worrying about being judged.”

 

The atmosphere played a significant role in creating that sense of belonging.

 

The event blended wellness with celebration, transforming the racecourse into a vibrant community gathering.

 

Trumpeter Denilson Musekiwa entertained participants while an energetic Zumba session led by fitness instructor Chengetayi Mnisi kept spirits high before and after the race.

 

“The Zumba was really amazing. Chenge is always on point, very energetic,” one participant said.

 

“There were so many positive vibes. People were exchanging numbers, making new friends. It was just a beautiful Sunday morning.”

 

As the celebrations continued, conversations began turning toward the future.

 

Many women expressed hope that HerMiles would expand beyond Harare and reach other parts of Zimbabwe.

 

Several participants specifically called for future editions in Bulawayo, arguing that women across the country deserve similar opportunities to connect through fitness, wellness and community.

 

“We need this in Bulawayo too,” one participant said.

 

“Women there would embrace this just the same. It should travel because the need for these spaces is everywhere.”

 

Others challenged organisations working in women’s empowerment to recognise initiatives such as HerMiles as more than recreational events.

 

“CSOs that focus on women’s rights should support platforms like this because this is also advocacy,” another participant said.

 

“It’s about health, wellness, mental wellbeing and women claiming space for themselves.”

 

The overwhelming sentiment among participants was simple: they wanted more.

 

“My experience was amazing. I enjoyed it and if it’s held again next year, or even next month, I’ll definitely join again,” one runner said.

 

By the end of the morning, the racecourse had become much more than a sporting venue.

 

It had transformed into a place where women celebrated their strength, confronted personal battles, honoured loved ones and discovered new possibilities.

 

The finish line mattered.

 

But for many women, the real victory was everything they discovered about themselves on the journey there.

 

HerMiles may have been built around running, but for hundreds of women, it became a reminder that healing is possible, courage can be found in taking the first step, and sometimes the most important race is the one that leads back to yourself.