Hello (again!). I’m Shathiso from Gaborone, the quiet, beautiful capital city of Botswana, and I’ve been running (and writing about running) for almost NINE years now. With so many recent life changes and new subscribers, I thought it was the perfect time to re-introduce myself to this incredible community.

Growing up, I was never athletic. I did everything I could to avoid sports. When I started running, my mum reminded me about the time I convinced her to write a note excusing me from school cross-country! But years later, in October 2016, having just turned 36, and now with a 4- and 2-year-old, something shifted.

After years of unhealthy living and pouring myself so completely into marriage, motherhood, and my career, I had become overweight and unfit, and more importantly, I had lost a small part of myself that I was desperate to reclaim. I dusted off an old treadmill and could barely jog for a minute before collapsing into a walk. But I wasn’t defeated. Within days, I had signed up for three races.

That decision sparked an adventure. In 2017, I challenged myself to run 17 races. What started as a ridiculous idea turned into a life-changing journey. I went from struggling to hold a jog for more than a few minutes to running 10 km. I ran on dusty trails, busy city roads, and even across desert landscapes. Along the way, I was mugged at knifepoint, got lost more than once on winding trail routes, and travelled the length of Botswana and into South Africa chasing finish lines. By the time I crossed the last one, I wasn’t just chasing #17 anymore – I was hooked.

In May 2018, I ran my first Half Marathon in Gaborone. Crossing that finish line, I felt unstoppable. As of September 2025, I’ve run 17 Half Marathons, several 5k, 10k and 15k races, and even an ultra-trail marathon.

I’ve run in most areas of Gaborone, and with every run, I’ve documented more than just kilometres. I’ve paused to admire bold murals splashed across the city, sculptures tucked in quiet corners, and monuments and buildings that form part of Botswana’s history. I’ve written about the quiet beauty of Jacaranda-lined suburban streets as well as the rhythm of streets with more grit and character.

Running has carried me far beyond the streets of Gaborone. Within Botswana, I’ve had a nostalgic run in Lobatse, where I spent part of my childhood, absorbed the rich history of Molepolole, and navigated the rolling landscapes of Kanye. I’ve wound my way through the radiant streets of Ramotswa, enjoyed the refreshing country air in Nshakazhogwe, and felt the bustling energy of Mochudi, each place offering a unique rhythm, varied feelings and a story to discover along the way.

Beyond Botswana, running has opened doors to the world. I’ve run through the buzzing streets of Accra and jogged past colourful stalls in Ghanaian villages. I’ve tested my lungs in the high altitudes of Bishoftu in Ethiopia, and wandered the narrow, cat-filled alleys of Istanbul, where history seems to echo in every corner. I’ve pounded the rugged trails of Addo Elephant National Park, as well as the lively streets of Soweto in South Africa. I’ve run on the pristine streets of Windhoek in Namibia and tasted the salty air along the coastline in Dar-es-Salaam in Tanzania.

And now, after relocating to Perth – Western Australia, in 2025, I’ve been enjoying the opportunity to discover a whole new city on foot. From the pretty riverside paths of Rossmoyne and Shelley to the suburban grids of Bull Creek, Riverton, and Willetton, I’ve begun mapping my new home one kilometre at a time. I’ve also thrown myself into the local running scene, already lining up for six races and discovering that the spirit of runners is universal – the camaraderie, pre-race jitters, and post-race joy feel the same.

Through all this deliberate exploration on the run, I’ve coined it my “Run to See” movement: running not just for fitness, but to connect more deeply with places, their stories, and the people who call them home. Yet running has never been only about travel or races. It has been my anchor through some of the most challenging periods of my life: losing my mum to an aggressive cancer, navigating the uncertainty of the pandemic, and rebuilding my life in a new country in my forties.

Running has instilled in me a resilience I never knew I had – a quiet, steady strength that has carried me through motherhood, grief, other forms of loss, relocation, and the countless small challenges of everyday life. Each kilometre is a reminder that I am capable of more than I imagined, and that persistence, even in the face of exhaustion or doubt, can lead to growth and transformation.

Over the last couple of years, life got in the way and my writing grew quiet. Now, I’m ready to bring the blog back with fresh energy. I’ll share my race experiences, the new places I discover on the run, reflections on relocation, life updates, and what it means to run and stay fit in your forties. Putting yourself out there is never easy – but what I’ve loved most about sharing my journey is the people who’ve told me I’ve helped them change in some way. That, to me, means more than every kilometre I’ve run and every medal I’ve earned. I want to keep encouraging others to live their strongest, fittest lives, to find joy in the process, and to “Run to See”.

Love from The Gaborone Runner – one street, one story, one run at a time

I am linking up with Zenaida from The Running Teacher and Jenn from Runs with Pugs for Tuesday Topics! Please join the party every week!