Mpumalanga’s fastest Comrades qualifier returns this February

Runners chasing their Comrades and Two Oceans dreams in 2026 will once again turn their focus to Mpumalanga, as the TRACN4 Elands Marathon returns on Saturday, February 28.

Hosted by the Nedbank Mpumalanga LVCC Running Club and proudly sponsored by Trans African Concessions (TRAC), the TRACN4 Elands Marathon is regarded as the fastest Comrades Marathon qualifier in Mpumalanga.

Since its return in 2022 the race has built a strong reputation as a must-run event on the national running calendar, offering athletes a rare combination of speed, scenery and qualification opportunity along the Maputo Corridor. More than just a qualifying race, the 42.2km route delivers a memorable running experience through the heart of the Elands Valley.

Starting in Emgwenya (Waterval Boven), the course descends the escarpment, winds past dramatic rock formations and waterfalls, passes through the iconic Waterval Boven Tunnel, and finishes at the Sappi Skills Training Centre in Ngodwana.

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The 2026 TRACN4 Elands Marathon is an official qualifier for both the Comrades Marathon and the Two Oceans Marathon and continues to attract a competitive mix of elite athletes, club runners and social runners from across South Africa and neighbouring countries.

The 2026 event will also feature a half-marathon (21.1km) ensuring an inclusive race weekend for a variety of runners. Mandla Nxumalo of the Nedbank Mpumalanga LVCC Running Club says preparations are already underway to deliver another standout event.

“The TRACN4 Elands Marathon continues to grow in stature and popularity. With TRAC’s ongoing support, our focus remains on delivering a safe, professionally run race that showcases Mpumalanga while making a positive contribution to the local economy. We encourage visiting runners to plan ahead and secure accommodation early.”

Connecting people, places and possibility

As the concessionaire of the N4 Maputo Development Corridor, TRAC plays a vital role in enabling the safe and efficient movement of people and goods across the region.

Through its sponsorship of this marathon, TRAC continues to invest in initiatives that promote road safety awareness, active lifestyles and economic growth along the corridor. The event not only showcases the natural beauty of the N4 route, but also highlights the importance of reliable, well-maintained infrastructure in supporting sport, tourism and long-term regional development.

A full race weekend experience will begin on Friday, February 27, with the TRACN4 Elands Marathon Expo at Astron Energy Millys in Machadodorp on the N4 route. The Expo serves as one of the official race number collection points and offers participating brands the opportunity to engage directly with runners ahead of race day. Limited race number collections will also be available at LVCC in Mbombela.

Entries and information

Entries for the 2026 TRACN4 Elands Marathon will close on February 11 as this is a pre-entry race. No late entries will be accepted. The organising committee will once again offer a flexible entry process, allowing for substitutions, upgrades and downgrades during the entry period. For registrations and full race information visit www.elandsmarathon.co.za.