Bella’s Athletics Club, the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency, Ehlanzeni District Municipality and other sponsors will host the Mpumalanga 4-in-1 Barberton-Makhonjwa Mountain Marathon on Saturday October 22.
This event will consist of a 42.2km, a 21.1km and a 10km race, and a fun run. It will see South Africa and eSwatini united for heritage under the theme “Our heritage, our run”.
ALSO READ: IN PHOTOS: Mbombela’s St Mark’s school parades trophy after provincial play-offs triumph
Over 250 runners countrywide and from neighbouring countries have already entered.
The countdown has started. The closing date for online entries was yesterday, Sunday October 16.
The three races will start at 06:00 at the Bulembu Border Post and finish at Coronation Park in Barberton.
The fun run will start and finish at Coronation Park.
The 42.2km will serve as a qualifier for the Comrades and Two Oceans ultramarathons.
ALSO READ: TS Galaxy winless in seven matches
The custodian of the road, the Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport, has started with preparing the route by repairing potholes.
Andile Shabangu of Bella’s Athletics Club said they would be running green to advocate and promote environmental conservation.
“The Makhonjwa Mountains are a World Heritage Site. The mountains contain some of the oldest, preserved sediments on Earth. We will urge proper waste management practices on race day, such as recycling waste materials. We will be implementing the 3Rs – reduce, reuse and recycle – to minimise littering on the historical mountains.”
