In the heart of Zambia, amidst the rugged terrain and soaring aspirations, a remarkable story unfolded during the 2024 Absa Marathon. This tale of resilience, willpower, and community support centers around a young woman named Tisa Kalemba.
At just 23 years old, Tisa has already faced more challenges than many face in a lifetime. Growing up in a small village outside Lusaka, she lost both her parents at a young age and was raised by her grandmother. Despite these hardships, Tisa discovered her passion for running while in secondary school.
With no formal training and limited resources, she began running barefoot on the dusty paths of her village, waking up at 4 AM daily to practice before helping her grandmother with household chores and attending school.