The TRACN4 Elands Marathon, the most picturesque Comrades qualifier in Mpumalanga, is once again upon us. Presented by the Nedbank LVCC running club – and backed by Trans African Concessions (TRAC) – this 42.2km road race will take place on 2 March in the stunning Elands Valley.

The race, which is also a Two Oceans Marathon qualifier, will begin at Laerskool Oosterlijn in Emgwenya (Waterval Boven), and will see runners traverse down the escarpment and through the Waterval Boven tunnel, before ultimately finishing at the Sappi Skills Training Centre in Ngodwana.

The event is set to draw in a bigger field than in 2023, including some of the nation’s finest road runners, adding a layer of competitiveness to the occasion. Besides the full marathon, the 2024 TRACN4 Elands Marathon will also include two other road races – a half marathon and a 10km race. These are also expected to attract top-class athletes and road-running aficionados.

The event is set to draw in a bigger field than in 2023, including some of the nation’s finest road runners…

The TRACN4 Elands Marathon Expo, sponsored by Astron Energy, will return for the 2024 race. It will be held on 1 March at Milly’s on the N4 Route, from 11am to 8pm. This expo will not only serve as the pre-race exhibition, where participating brands get to engage directly with athletes, it will also serve as the official race number collection point. The alternate race number collection venue is LVCC in Mbombela.

Registrations for the 2024 TRACN4 Elands Marathon are open until 18 February and only online entries will be accepted. To register and obtain additional race information go HERE.

According to TRAC’s communication manager Solange Soares, the 2022 and 2023 races were so highly rated that it made sense for the concessionaire of the Maputo Corridor, where the race is being staged, to continue to support it.

“Engaging in road running as a sport or hobby can have a significant positive impact on one’s overall health and well-being, which TRAC recognises as being of the utmost importance. Notably, this sport is among the few in the world that is readily accessible to all, aligning with our corporate social investment (CSI) goals. Just like our other CSI initiatives, the marathon has far-reaching benefits, such as boosting tourism in the Lowveld region, ultimately resulting in economic gains for the area,” says Soares.

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 with TRAC’s backing. We pride ourselves on this event and are counting down the days to 2 March. 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.

Bloch urges participants living outside the Lowveld to book their race weekend accommodation as soon as possible as accommodation spots along this section of the route are filling up fast – a sure indication of the financial benefits such an event has on local businesses and communities.

For more information about the race, email entries@elandsmarathon.co.za or call 078 208 5183. Alternatively, visit www.elandsmarathon.co.za.

Enquiries: Solange Soares
Communications Manager
Tel: +2713 755 3316 (switchboard)
Mobile: +2776 021 2524 (cell)
E-mail: ssoares@tracn4.co.za

READ MORE ON: comrades-qualifier elands marathon Mpumalanga trac TRACN4 Elands Marathon Two Oceans Qualifier