Story by Gay Matambo
ZIMBABWEAN athlete Sydney Moyo has embarked on a solo marathon from Mutare to Harare to raise awareness against drug and substance abuse as well as gender-based violence (GBV).
The 35-year-old runner set off this Wednesday on a gruelling seven-day advocacy campaign covering approximately 263 kilometres, averaging about 37 kilometres per day.
While the journey is typically a four-hour drive, Moyo says he views it as a platform to confront pressing social challenges affecting communities.
“Running is a test of the mind and body, much like the struggle many face with addiction or the trauma of domestic violence. I want people to see that we can outrun these social ills if we move together, one step at a time,” he said.
The route will take him through key points including Christmas Pass, as well as towns such as Rusape and Marondera, where he plans to engage communities on the dangers of drug abuse and GBV.
This is not his first endurance campaign. Moyo recently completed a 580-kilometre run from Beitbridge to Harare over 21 days, advocating for fitness and mental wellness.
“I was very ready for the mission I just completed, where I proved that fitness and mental wellness are key in our daily lives. Exercising boosts mental well-being and self-esteem, but it takes immense mental strength to keep pushing when the body wants to stop. It wasn’t an easy walk in the park. I encountered several challenges, including physical exhaustion, a limp and blisters, but I kept going because I knew the importance of the message I was carrying,” he said.
The campaign comes amid growing concern over rising drug and substance abuse among youths. According to the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency, up to 45 percent of gender-based violence cases are linked to drug and substance abuse, underscoring the urgency of such initiatives.
