The Barberton Makhonjwa Mountain Marathon, now in its third edition, will be held on 28 September 2024. This unique race takes place in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Makhonjwa Mountain in Barberton, offering runners breathtaking scenery throughout the course. The race starts in Eswatini and finishes in Coronation Park, Barberton, traversing the picturesque Bulembu Mountain, which spans both Eswatini and South Africa. Over the past two years, the Barberton Makhonjwa Mountain Marathon has become a highly anticipated event, significantly boosting the local economy with accommodation in Nelspruit and Barberton town selling out. Last year's marathon attracted over 1,500 runners, and this year promises to be even more spectacular. Participants can choose from four distances: 42.2 km (a qualifier for the Comrades Marathon and Two Oceans), 21 km, 10 km, and 4.9 km. The marathon's organizing team is dedicated to community outreach, including athlete development programs, a school shoe initiative, and a sanitary towels project in collaboration with GRIP. On Mandela Day, the team was involved in a project at the Gugulethu Old Age Home in Elukwatini. Activities included painting the center, donating wheelchairs, and assisting the elderly in staying active.
Running the Makhonjwa Marathon was exhilarating! The rugged trails and stunning views made every challenging step worth it. Unforgettable experience!
Mandla Nkosi
Participating in this race was an amazing experience. The stunning views and well-organized event made every km enjoyable. What a pleasure!
Yolanda du Plessis
Finishing the Makhonjwa 4-in-1 was a great achievement. The atmosphere was energizing and the event was flawlessly organized. Highly recommended!
Ndabenhle Mabena