Caption: Over one thousand participants testing their endurance levels
Over 1000 athletes, including fun runners, participated in yet another exciting and successful 2026 Makhonjwa Mountain 4-in-1 Marathon that took place on Saturday 12 September 2026.
This year’s edition was reportedly bigger than ever before, with additional fun runners taking part, and proving a significant increase as compared to previous years, specifically the 2025 race that attracted about 616 participants.
As expected, the race was tough and literally not a walk-in-the-park, with runners powering through the
excruciating first half that includes over 1111m of elevation, but it was a memorable spectacle to the enthusiastic participants, local community members and Mpumalanga in general.
The race was divided into four categories;
42.2km Marathon, 21.1km Half-Marathon, 10km Race, 4.9km Fun Run/Walk.
It was a qualifying event for both the Comrades Marathon and the Two Oceans Marathon, making it a crucial race on the calendar for endurance athletes targeting South Africa’s major ultras.
The participants gathered at the Barberton Coronation Park starting point at 06h00 in the morning and ran through the 3.5-billion-year-old Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains World Heritage Site which is recognised by UNESCO as one of the oldest and best-preserved geological formations on earth.
MTPA (Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency) welcomed the successful marathon and said the growth is no accident, but it is proof that sports tourism works. Furthermore, the MTPA cited the collaboration with its partners such as Bellas Athletics Club, Chief Albert Luthuli Local Municipality and Ehlanzeni District Municipality, as testament that Mpumalanga is capable of delivering a successful, safe and unforgettable sporting event.
“Congratulations to all the runners who participated and successfully completed the race. MTPA extends its sincere appreciation to Bellas Athletics, our strategic partners, stakeholders, sponsors, law enforcement agencies, volunteers, communities and everyone who contributed to making this year’s marathon a resounding success. Together, we continue to position Mpumalanga as a preferred sports tourism destination,” said the MTPA.
In addition, the MTPA said the marathon was more than just a sporting event, as it has contributed towards local economic development, fundamentally affirming the MTPA’s role of marketing Mpumalanga as the best tourist destination in the country.
“The marathon has also contributed positively to the local economy, with businesses and communities in Barberton and surrounding areas benefiting from the influx of runners, sports tourists and supporters,” said the MTPA.
The HOD (Head of Department) from Mpumalanga Economic Development and Tourism, Immy Serakalala, delivered a message of support at the event directed towards the participants and all relevant stakeholders.
Nomvula Sithole from Nkomazi, Mpumalanga, took the women’s title, while first-time participant Ayanda Ngcobo from Pine Town, KwaZulu-Natal, won the male category of the flagship race.
Prize Giveaways for best performers:
1st Place – R17,000 (Male & Female), 2nd Place – R10,000(Male & Female), 3rd Place – R7,000(Male & Female), 21.1km & 10km: Same tiered structure with different amounts, 4.9km Fun Run: Medals and bragging rights.
The mountains of the Barberton Makhonjwa World Heritage Site once again proved why Mpumalanga is called the Place of the Rising Sun.
