Run through one of Mpumalanga’s most scenic areas in Elands Valley, the TRACN4 Elands Marathon is more than just a fast Comrades qualifier.

The iconic 42.2km starts at Laerskool Oosterlijn in eMgwenya (Waterval Boven) at 6.30am with a route that takes runners down the escarpment, through the Waterval Boven tunnel and down to the beautiful Fortis Malaga Hotel where the half marathon starts at 6.30am. Both the marathon and half marathon will end at the Sappi Skills Training Centre in Ngodwana.

The 10km race starts at 6.30am at the Sappi Skills training centre and is out and back from the skills centre. This beautiful route never fails to produce fast times with many runners achieving PBs and fast Comrades qualifiers. These are also expected to attract top-class athletes from around the country.

Taking place on the April 22, the race will be run mainly on the N4 Toll Route and the 2023 edition will be the second running of the relaunched TRACN4 Elands Marathon.

The TRACN4 Elands Marathon is backed by Trans African Concessions (TRAC) and presented by the Nedbank LVCC Running Club.

Given the success of last year’s race – in which more than 1 600 athletes competed – the 2023 event is sure to be even bigger and better! Not only are the organisers anticipating a larger field, but they are also expecting that the race will attract the country’s top road runners. This will ensure a highly competitive event for the more serious runners who are aiming to do big things at the 2023 Comrades Marathon.

Registration for all three races has officially opened and will close on April 3. Only online entries will be accepted for the event. To register, click HERE. All information pertaining to the race and the route is available at the same link.

According to TRAC’s communication manager Solange Soares, the 2022 race was so highly rated that it made sense for the concessionaire to continue to support it. In addition, as the race is run on the Maputo Corridor, it is fitting for TRAC to put its full support behind it.

“Road running as a sport or hobby is linked to improved health and well-being, which TRAC deems important. It’s also one of the very few sports in the country that is accessible to anyone and in line with our corporate social investment (CSI) initiatives. As with our various other CSI initiatives, the marathon has numerous spinoffs, including promoting tourism to the Lowveld region, which results in economic benefits for the area,” says Soares.

“Many of the accommodation spots along this section of the route are already filling up fast, with bookings from those taking part in the marathon. This is a sure indication of the financial benefits such an event has on local businesses and the community,” she adds.

Beth Bloch of the Nedbank LVCC Running Club is confident that this year’s marathon will be the best one yet.

“The club is ecstatic to again be hosting the popular race. We pride ourselves on this event and are counting down the days to 22 April. We are already hard at work behind the scenes to ensure that it will exceed the expectations of all participants and their supporters,” says Bloch.

For more information about the race, email info@elandsmarathon.co.za or call 079 583 0936. Alternatively, visit www.elandsmarathon.co.za.

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